Les Parlements Nationaux dans l’architecture institutionnelle de L’Union Européenne

acteurs efficaces ou influences marginales ?

Abstract

This article examines the historical path of involvement of national parliaments in the architecture of the European Union (EU). It questions whether successive treaty reforms and instruments developed up to this date have reinforced the importance of national parliaments, or whether they have simply remained symbolic actors in the European legislative process.
This paper argues that national parliaments are the missing democratic link between EU citizens and EU institutions. Enhancing their position in EU policy-making bears the potential to improve the quality of legislation of the EU, as well to breathe more democratic legitimacy into the European project.