This is an exciting time to be a member of the European Parliament (MEP), says Andrew Duff, a British Liberal MEP since 1999. The “tide is coming in” for his assembly: much better to secure victory in the European election between June 4th and 7th than to languish in a national body like the House of Commons. “Whenever I am in a national parliament,” he observes, “I have the impression they are rather demoralised, because powers are transferring to the European Union level.”

The parliament has gained real clout under successive EU treaties. MEPs were once only consulted by national governments (represented in the Council of Ministers). Now the parliament and the council have equal say over three-quarters of EU policies. MEPs can veto the appointment of a new European Commission, the executive branch, nominated by governments to a five-year term. A threat to do this in 2004 forced the Italians to withdraw their choice as justice commissioner (MEPs disliked his stern views on gays and the role of women).

The parliament expects to gain even more powers under the Lisbon treaty, assuming it is ratified by all 27 members. That depends mainly on the Irish, who voted No to the treaty in a referendum last June but are expected to vote again this autumn. If Lisbon comes into force, the parliament will become the equal of the council in almost all EU legislation, gaining new rights in such sensitive areas as farm subsidies, fisheries, border controls, asylum and immigration. MEPs will also have more say over the EU budget, bowing to national governments in only a handful of areas like tax and foreign policy.

... contd.