The European Parliament’s powers: Motion of censure

Summary:

The European Parliament's powers and influence have evolved significantly since its establishment. Starting out as a Common Assembly – a consultative body made up of delegations from the national parliaments of the EU Member States – in 1979 the European Parliament became a directly elected institution with both budgetary and legislative powers. Today, it is a fully fledged legislative body with competences in a broad range of EU policy areas, and considerable influence over the majority of EU affairs. While law-making is central to its activities, Parliament also has various other responsibilities stemming from its powers in areas such as the EU budget, scrutiny, appointments, agenda-setting and the constitutional foundation of the EU. From its inception, one of Parliament's key roles has been to scrutinise the European Commission, the EU's executive branch. Parliament can use a host of instruments to hold the Commission to account, such as voting on its investiture or dismissal as a collective body. According to the EU Treaties, the Commission is accountable to the Parliament as a body and must resign if the Parliament adopts a motion of censure. The Parliament's right to dismiss the Commission as a body is regarded as a 'nuclear option'. It has never been enforced, as the required majority of votes has never been reached, but it exerts real political pressure. In 1999, for example, the mere threat of a motion of censure led to the resignation of the entire Santer Commission.

• Alternative Source 1