2014 Institutional
changes
Ursula Pachl / Johannes Kleis
General Assembly
Brussels
14-15 November 2013
I) Europeanisation of the 2014
elections.
Some facts and figures:
•
8th direct EP elections.
•
Election Day: between 22 and 25 May 2014.
•
Moved from June to May due to election of new
Commission President.
•
The precise day of elections is set by MS - in some
cases, this has yet to be done formally for 2014.
The official election result: after poll closes in last MS on
Sunday 25 May 2014.
(Source of the infograph: European Parliament)
•
Main innovation - Lisbon Treaty:
•
the EP elects the EC President.
•
On the basis of a proposal from the European Council.
•
Taking into account the elections to the EP
(Article 17(7) TEU).
This will apply for the first time for the 2014 elections.
This means:
•
Winning party’s candidate will be put forward by the
European Council.
•
EP elects this candidate by a majority of MEPs.
•
BUT: the reality may look different: coalitions ? /
compromise candidates etc.
March 2013 Commission recommendation:
•
European political parties should make known their
candidate for the Commission presidency.
•
National parties should make known their affiliation to
European political parties.
•
Election broadcasts should feature the candidate that
party is backing for the Commission presidency.
New European Parliament 2014-2019
Number of MEPs
•
Current EP: 766 MEPs (754 + 12 for Croatia which
joined in 2013).
•
After the 2014 elections: reduced to 751 MEPs (Article
14(2) TEU).
First plenary will take place in the first week of July 2014
Composition of the new EP
•
“Anti-European” parties expected to gain 50 – 150
MEPs.
•
High turn-over rate of MEPs expected: only 1/3 MEPS
likely to stay.
II) European Commission
•
28 new Commissioners and their cabinets.
•
President of the Commission will be nominated by the
Council, then elected by EP
•
Re-structuring of General Directorates?
•
How will consumer protection policy and - law be
structured ? ( now split between DG SANCO and DG
JUST)
Institutional timeline in 2014
source of infograph: Burson Marsteller
Key points in timeline 2014
22-25 May: European Parliament elections
XX June: new MEPS meet
26-27 June: European Council nominates Commission President
01-03 July: First Plenary Session
14-17 July: Plenary session -> election of Commission President
August: Commission President selects team with national leaders
22 September to 01 October: EP hearings of Commissioners designate
20-23 October: EP Plenary session – approval of new European Commission
01 November: European Commisison takes office
01 December: New President of the European Council takes office
Election manifesto: Timeline
• December 2012: Communications expert meeting
• January 2013: Application EC grant
• May 2013: Decision EC & discussion executive on
approach
• July/August 2013: Member survey key issues
• September 2013: Executive meeting & discussion
approach
• October 2013: Information to executive about topics &
structure
Election manifesto: Structure
1. Consumer policy in Europe – setting the scene
–
–
Short analysis past 5 years
BEUC Vision: Single Market = partial reality
2. Consumer priorities for EP legislature
–
–
–
–
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4 priorities with focus on flagship campaigns
Financial services: Deliver products & services consumers really need
Consumer rights: Consumers deserve durable goods
Digital rights: Online discrimination
Food: Trust your meat
3. TTIP
–
Our yardstick, Transparency, Investor-State
4. Sustainability
5. Where should the consumer stand in 2019
Election manifesto: Actions
• Text to members => begin
December
• Publication by BEUC =>
March
• Presentation to key MEP
=> March – May
• EP election debate =>
before or after elections
• Bug push to new MEPS =>
July
4/8/2015
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www.beuc.eu – consumers@beuc.eu