Diritto Pubblico Comparato ed Europeo

Sommario

1. Introduzione. – 2. Coinvolgimento dei Parlamenti nazionali nella fase ascendente del diritto dell’Unione europea. – 3. Prospettive di riforma nella relazione finale del Gruppo IV della Convenzione europea. – 3.1. Ruolo dei Parlamenti nazionali nell’esame dell’attività dei Governi. – 3.2. Ruolo dei Parlamenti nazionali nel controllare l’applicazione del principio di sussidiarietà. – 3.3. Ruolo e funzioni di reti o meccanismi multilaterali che coinvolgono i Parlamenti nazionali a livello europeo – 4. Considerazioni conclusive.

AbstractThis article deals with the national Parliament’s role in the European Union, which is a topic of great relevance and interest. Indeed, there has been widespread criticism of an excessive undercutting of the national Parliament’s role in the elaboration of legislative proposals that go on to form European Union law. The article comments upon the final report of Working Group IV of the European Convention on the role of national Parliaments and examines, in particular, three distinct issues: the role of national Parliaments in scrutinising governments (national scrutiny systems); the role of national Parliaments in monitoring the application of the principle of subsidiarity; the role and function of multilateral networks or mechanisms involving national Parliaments at European level. The article approves the recommendations made regarding the need for a greater involvement of national Parliaments in EU lawmaking so as to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the European Union at the same time, however, it criticizes the recommendation, made by Working Group I, to create a so-called “Early warning system” as it could slow down, if not halt, the process of European integration.