Parliaments to have stronger voice in EU policy-making

Parliaments in the EU member states are to be more involved in the EU policy-making process.

This will be done by transmitting documents with draft proposals and legislation by the Commission to the national legislatures for their comments and submissions.

This was announced yesterday by the European Commission's Vice-President Margot Wallström during a meeting in Finland with the chairmen of the EU Parliamentary Affairs Committees.

Ms Wallström, responsible for institutional relations and communication in the commission, said Brussels wants to give national parliaments a greater voice which will mean a bigger voice to European citizens.

"The commission is sending a signal to the national parliaments that we will inform them and we will listen to them. Their comments will be carefully considered," Ms Wallström told representatives of the national parliaments.

Last May, the Commission took up a commitment to transmit its new proposals and consultation papers directly to the national parliaments, inviting them to provide their comments so as to improve the process of policy formulation.

Despite a more open consultation process, this does not in any way change the established procedure of the way laws are adopted in the EU. According to the treaties, the EU takes its decisions through the European Parliament and the Council, representing member states. Ms Wallström said a special internal procedure has been put in place by the Commission for the handling of national parliaments' opinions which will guarantee that the voice of national parliaments is heard and contributions are taken into account in the ongoing process of assessing European Commission policy initiatives.