Legislating after Lisbon. New opportunities for the European Parliament

At the beginning of 2010, EUDO was commissioned by the Socialists and Democrats group (S&D) of the European Parliament (EP) to study the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the EP. To do so, the study mainly analyses the following four topics.

First, how and in which policy areas the extension of co-decision can get the EP closer to citizens’ daily concerns and can reinforce the visibility of the EP.

Second, how the influence of the EP towards other EU institutions can be maximised (focusing above all on newly established President of the Council, the High Representative and the External Action Service).

Third, the study analyses the reinforcement of national parliaments and its linked opportunities and challenges for the EP.

Four, the study sheds some light on the enhanced role of civil society under the Lisbon Treaty (above all on the European Citizens’ Initiative) and on how the EP can maximise its political impact in cooperation with civil society.