RT Report
T1 The Council: A second chamber for the European Union?
A1 García Roca, Francisco Javier
A1 Bustos Gisbert, Rafael
A1 García Vitoria, Ignacio
AB The Conference on the Future of Europe is an opportunity to reflect on the Union's democratic foundations, including the legislative role of the Council of the European Union (EU) and its relations with the European Parliament. Is it pertinent to reform the Council, either by reinforcing its parliamentary features or by transforming it into a Senate or a Second Chamber? Would such a change enhance the democratic legitimacy of the EU decision-making process? To answer these questions, this study looks at three connected issues in detail. First, it analyses the role of second chambers in the integration process of sovereign states in broader political entities (higher polity). Second, it examines the different bicameral systems (composition, powers, and functions), particularly in the EU Member States, but also in other models that may help as a reference. Third, it explores proposals to reform the Council put forward by leading political and academic figures. The study aims at providing a set of tools that may serve as inspiration should calls to transform this key EU institution be followed, and suggests three reform scenarios, using the instruments found in existing parliamentary and federal systems.
PB European Parliamentary Research Service
SN 978-92-846-8073-3
YR 2022
FD 2022-02-28
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/128579
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/128579
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 22 ene 2026