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The European Parliament's oversight powers: Tools to scrutinise the European Commission
The European Parliament's top 10 tools for scrutinising the European Commission
Eric Pichon with Mathilde Rasmussen, Members' Research Service
Summary
The scrutiny powers of the European Parliament, the only directly elected EU institution, are essential to promote democratic oversight of policy actions taken at EU level. Parliament has 10 main tools at its disposal to carry out its scrutiny function over the European Commission, as described below. This overview is a summary of the EPRS study on ' The European Parliament's oversight powers: Tools to scrutinise the European Commission'.
#1: Election of the Commission President and vote of confidence
The European Parliament elects the President of the European Commission, and the whole College of Commissioners must pass a vote of confidence. Although not enshrined in the EU Treaties, the lead candidate or Spitzenkandidaten system to nominate the Commission President has aimed to strengthen the link between the results of the European elections and the appointment of the Commission President.
#2: Motion of censure
Parliament can conduct a vote of no confidence (motion of censure) in the Commission. Motions of censure have been tabled relatively rarely and none has been voted through leading to the resignation of the Commission. Given the potential consequences, the power of censure is considered one of the most impactful instruments of Parliament's political control.
#3: Inquiry and special committees
Parliament may set up temporary inquiry committees to examine alleged contraventions or maladministration in the implementation of EU law. Special committees can examine a broader topic than inquiry committees.
#4: Parliamentary questions
Members of the European Parliament have the right to ask questions to the Commission, which has an obligation to respond. Parliament's Rules of Procedure detail five types of parliamentary questions to the Commission.
#5: The Commission's obligations to inform, consult and report
The Commission has a broad obligation to inform, consult and report to Parliament on its activities. The right to be informed provides Members and the parliamentary committees with information and evidence that forms the basis of Parliament's political control of the Commission.
#6: Parliament's budgetary scrutiny powers
Parliament has a two-pronged budgetary function: it establishes the EU budget (with the Council) and carries out budgetary control and discharge. In practice, Parliament's threats to block the annual budget procedure have been less frequent in recent years than in negotiations on the multiannual budget.
#7: Parliamentary scrutiny in the legislative procedure and agenda-setting
As co-legislator at EU level, Parliament plays a key role in the EU legislative procedure. In addition, Parliament has agenda- setting powers, and exercises scrutiny as co-legislator in several ways. Parliament has the power to influence the preparation of the Commission work programme through the work of its committees, the plenary, and its President at various stages.
#8: Parliament's scrutiny of delegated and implementing acts
Parliament can object to Commission delegated acts, but has no such 'veto' right over implementing acts. The Commission adopts delegated acts based on a delegation granted in EU legislative acts by the two co-legislators, Parliament and the Council. The delineation between delegated and implementing acts continues to be controversial.
#9: Parliament's role in legal proceedings
Parliament can ask the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to review the legality of a Commission act, launch legal proceedings against the Commission, or intervene in pending cases against the Commission. Parliament can also ask the CJEU for an opinion on the compatibility of an international agreement with the EU Treaties.
#10: Parliament's role in EU external relations
The Treaty on European Union– the Treaty of Maastricht – formalised Parliament's role in EU external relations in 1993. Treaty changes since then have reinforced Parliament's influence in EU foreign and development policy. Today, through the consent procedure, Parliament plays an active role in the ratification of most international agreements of the EU.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Consult the study, The European Parliament's oversight powers: Tools to scrutinise the European Commission, EPRS, June 2025, (in English).
Classification
Policy areas: EU Democracy, Institutional and Parliamentary Law
Regions: European Union
Committees: Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
Disclaimer
This document is prepared for, and addressed to, the Members and staff of the European Parliament as background material to assist them in their parliamentary work. The content of the document is the sole responsibility of its author(s) and any opinions expressed herein should not be taken to represent an official position of the Parliament.
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