European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EP committees
What role for the European Parliament’s committees and how do they work?
The European Parliament’s committees carry out detailed examination of proposed EU laws and draw up proposed changes, upon which Members subsequently debate and vote. The committees are fundamental to EU decision-making systems and to the powers of the European Parliament. The European Parliament has 20 parliamentary committees composed of Members. Each committee is headed by … Continue reading
Commission as ‘caretaker administration’
The hearings of the Commissioners-designate before the European Parliament’s committees took place between 30 September and 8 October 2019. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, July I 2019
This ‘at a glance’ note is intended to review some of the highlights of the plenary part-session, and notably to follow up on key dossiers identified by EPRS. It does not aim to be exhaustive. For more detailed information on specific files, please see other EPRS products, notably our ‘EU legislation in progress’ briefings, and the plenary minutes. Continue reading
Parliament’s committees of inquiry and special committees
Written by Eva-Maria Poptcheva, The European Parliament has recently been making increasing use of its investigative instruments – special and inquiry committees. The TAXE Committee, established in the aftermath of the ‘LuxLeaks’ scandal to look into unfair tax practices in the EU, was followed by the TAXE 2 special committee on tax rulings. The EMIS … Continue reading
A stepping stone towards gender equality: the Ad Hoc Committee on Women’s Rights 1979-1981
Written by Claudia Touceira The European Parliament has a long history of interest and involvement in women’s rights and gender equality. As early as 1957, the Treaty of Rome included the principle of equal pay for male and female workers (Art. 119 : Each Member State shall during the first stage ensure and subsequently maintain the … Continue reading
Parliament’s investigative powers – Committees of inquiry and special committees
Written by Eva-Maria Poptcheva In the aftermath of the ‘LuxLeaks’ scandal relating to tax evasion by multinational companies through Luxembourg, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands, Parliament decided to set up a ‘special committee’ to look into unfair tax practices in the EU. 188 MEPs had originally requested a committee of inquiry be established, but the … Continue reading
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