Diritto Pubblico Comparato ed Europeo

Sommario

1. Introduzione. – 2. Ragioni del rafforzamento del ruolo dei Parlamenti nazionali nel processo normativo comunitario. – 3. Il ruolo dei Parlamenti nazionali in materia di controllo. – 3.1.1. (Segue): della formazione della posizione nazionale da sostenere in seno al Consiglio. – 3.1.2. (Segue): del principio di sussidiarietà. – 3.1.3. (Segue): dell’attuazione di uno spazio di libertà, sicurezza e giustizia. – 4. Funzioni residue di partecipazione alla revisione dei Trattati. – 5. Conclusioni.

Abstract

In June 2007 the European Council agreed on the need to strengthen the role of national parliaments in as part of the mandate for the new IGC. The idea that national parliaments could further the democratization of the EU traces back to the Maastricht Treaty and since then significant steps have been taken. The Lisbon Treaty, which to a large extent enshrines the innovations contained in the Constitution, builds on this process. It includes a new provision highlighting the contribution of national parliaments to the good functioning of the Union, and enhances their powers of political control to ensure compliance with the principle of subsidiarity. Although these amendments are noteworthy, they risk remaining on paper and representing changes that are merely instrumental to the ratification process. Only a strong political will to effectively use the new tools at their disposal could enable national parliaments to play a role in making the EU closer to its citizens.