The European Parliament, 6th ed.

Abstract:

The authors are well experienced in the production of this essential guide to the workings of the European Parliament, having been involved in each of the previous editions. This sixth edition is fully updated to cover developments such as the impact on Parliament of the May 2004 enlargement of the EU and the June 2004 European elections, the implications of the Constitutional Treaty if ratified, and a range of significant changes in the Parliament’s procedures.

The work is organised in three parts. Part one gives the background to the current stage of development of the Parliament together with some tone and texture comments on the style. Chapters address such issues as the election of members, where and when it meets and in what languages its business is conducted. Part two looks at the working structures and role of the ‘actors’, be they political groups or individual members. Chapters in this section feature leadership issues, parliamentary committees, interparliamentary delegations, plenary sessions and the secretariat. The third part details the powers of the Parliament. Chapters deal with aspects such as the legislative process, the budgetary role, institutional appointments, scrutiny and control of the executive (the Commission), the Parliament as a political forum and the Parliament’s role in constitutional change.

The work will interest scholars and students of the European Union and all those who work at the Parliament, have dealings with it, or have an interest in its growing influence within the EU.

Richard Corbett is a British Labour MEP and spokesperson on constitutional affairs amd EU reform in the European Parliament for the Socialist Group. Francis Jacobs is head of unit responsible for the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection within the European Parliament secretariat. Michael Shackleton was formerly head of unit responsible for conciliations and co-decision, and is at present responsible for a study into the creation of a European parliamentary television channel.

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