Parliament leaves its mark
(B2 Archive) This is from a series written on the "Elections 2004". Memories...
In 1957, when the Treaty of Rome was written, Europe had been conceived without representation of the peoples. Everything was based on a dialogue between politicians, represented in the Council of Ministers and an administration, the European Commission, the assembly having only a consultative vocation.
Extension of the powers of Parliament
The irruption of universal suffrage, 25 years ago, in 1979, changed the situation without upsetting it. In the early years, Parliament was essentially called upon to give its opinion. It was from the Single Act in 1986 and especially after the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 that the situation began to change. Parliament having to give its approval in more and more areas. And today, the hypothesis of a right of veto is no longer a mere theory.
The OPA project in oblivion
Under this legislature, the liberal commissioner for the internal market, the Dutchman Frits Bolkestein paid the price on a text that was nevertheless a flagship, aimed at harmonizing takeover bids (OPA). After tough negotiations, he managed to bring together a majority of states and MEPs behind his project to harmonize the rules of corporate control. With one notable exception: the Germans and the Dutch were fiercely opposed, determined to defend both their model of social co-management and their capitalist hard core system.
In a snatch vote, the opponents repelled the assault, managing to even the game. 273 against, 273 for, the President of Parliament Nicole Fontaine having abstained as tradition dictates. Equality worth rejection, according to the internal regulations of the assembly, the text then fell into oblivion. And Frits Bolkestein left Strasbourg, bitter and disappointed.
As well as the Port Services Directive
The operation would be repeated for the directive on port services, last December. MEPs thereby showing the Conservative Spanish Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio, her opposition to any further liberalization in the sector. Everyone knows that in Europe, the voice of the elected representatives of the people does not count for butter! And, even if formally, the Ministers and the Commission are not required to take into account its requests for amendment, the sword of Damocles hangs over their heads.
Some have not yet fully understood this new deal, explains Gilles Gantelet, one of the most experienced spokespersons for the European Commission and former College of Bruges, " Parliament has become an important and useful actor. Under his pressure, Ministers can no longer keep a decision in mind, "as was often the case before". Those who have the most difficulty understanding this situation are precisely the ministers.
« For several years, they spent hours and hours, during heated debates, correcting them down to the comma in order to arrive at a common position, when we were at first reading, when Parliament had not yet discussed anything ". As a result, in some cases, such as in maritime security, " all his commas have been swept away ". And Parliament imposed its will.
Nicolas Gros-Verheyde. Published in France-Soir, June 2004
