Observatory on Institutional Change and Reforms
The Observatory on Institutional Change and Reforms is devoted to the analysis of institutional reforms and adaptations in the current institutional design of the EU, particularly ones that are more likely to foster democratic accountability and an increased popular acceptance of the Union.
Structure
The Observatory is co-directed by Bruno de Witte (EUI) and Adrienne Héritier (EUI).
Study: Legislating after Lisbon
The Study, commissioned by the Socialists and Democrats group (S&D) of the European Parliament (EP) analyses the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the EP. To do so, the study mainly analyses the following four topics. First, how and in which policy areas the extension of co-decision can get the EP closer to citizens’ daily concerns and reinforce the visibility of the EP. Second, how the influence of the EP towards other EU institutions can be maximised (focusing above all on newly established President of the Council, the High Representative and the External Action Service). Thirdly, the study analyses the reinforcement of national parliaments and its linked opportunities and challenges for the EP. Finally, the study sheds some light on the enhanced role of civil society under the Lisbon Treaty (above all on the Citizens’ Initiative) and on how the EP can maximize its political impact in cooperation with civil society.
The study was led by Professors Alexander H. Trechsel and Bruno de Witte and can be accessed here.
Workshop: The Institutional implementation of the Lisbon Treaty
On 11 and 12 February 2010 a workshop on The Institutional Implementation of the Lisbon Treaty took place at the EUI. During the workshop a practitioner who is directly involved in preparing the reform and an academic expert have discussed the key areas in which the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty will have rapid institutional consequences.
Watch the abstract video and listen to the audio files of the Workshop.