Doc. 9260
8 October 2001

Strengthening the parliamentary dimension of the European institutions

Motion for a resolution

presented by MM. Azzolini, Behrendt and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Assembly notes that at a time when the process of European unification coincides with the enlargement of the European Union and the reform of European institutions, governments are playing an increasingly preponderant role, to the detriment of the balance between the executive and legislative branches.

2.       It also believes that the gradual transfer of sovereignty and political decisions from the national level to the European institutions will continue to give priority to intergovernmental preferences, so long as national parliaments have not yet gained sufficient control over this process - the democratic deficit.

3.       In the context of European unification and integration, national parliaments, which are responsible for ensuring that political decisions are representative and democratically legitimate, are increasingly backed up by international parliamentary assemblies, such as those of the Council of Europe, OSCE and WEU, composed of national members of parliament, and the European Parliament, whose members are directly elected.

4.       The Assembly therefore considers it essential to strengthen the parliamentary dimension of the European institutions, in terms both of responsibility and of real power, particularly that of oversight, to ensure that these institutions and European unification enjoy real democratic legitimacy and to develop citizens' understanding and support. It urges the parties concerned to seek ways and means of encouraging more participation by civil society in European political life, thus strengthening participative democracy as an integral part of representative democracy.

5.       To this end, national parliaments, the European Parliament and the international parliamentary assemblies must extend their co-operation, by establishing effective co-ordination and interaction to ensure that European unification proceeds coherently and harmoniously, having regard to their respective powers and the contributions they can make in their areas of competence.

6.       The Assembly also recalls the essential role, experience and achievements of the Council of Europe in building a greater Europe without frontiers and emphasises that, particularly thanks to the activities of the Parliamentary Assembly, since 1989 it has become the main body for welcoming, integrating and stabilising the emerging democracies of central and eastern Europe.

7.       At one of its forthcoming sessions, the Assembly hopes to debate the strengthening of the parliamentary dimension of the European institutions and welcomes the colloquy on this subject organised by the European Association of Former Parliamentarians of the member states of the Council of Europe and the European Union, held in the Palais de l'Europe on 10 November 2000. Several of the points identified in the Strasbourg Appeal adopted at this meeting could make a useful contribution to the report to be prepared for the Assembly.

Signed : ¹

Azzolini, Italy, EPP/CD

Behrendt, Germany, SOC

About, France, LDR

Arnau, Spain, SOC

Birraux, France, EPP/CD

Briane, France, EPP/CD

Bühler, Germany, EPP/CD

Clerfayt, Belgium, LDR

De Puig, Spain, SOC

de Zulueta, Italy, SOC

Dhaille, France, SOC

Evin, France, SOC

Garurro, Italy, EPP/CD

Giovanelli, Italy, SOC

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Mitterrand, France, SOC

Nessa, Italy, EPP/CD

Provera, Italy, LDR

Schloten, Germany, SOC

Schreiner, France, EDG

Van den Brande, Belgium, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group