EU Legislative Decision-Making

What is the Ordinary Legislative Procedure (OLP)?

The main law-making process where the EP and Council co-legislate based on a Commission proposal

What is the Special Legislative Procedure (SLP)?

A non-standard procedure where only the EP or Council is involved, with varied roles and majorities.

What triggers the OLP process?

A legislative proposal from the European Commission

What outcomes can result from EU decision-making?

Laws (regulations, directives), budgets, international agreements, and high-level appointments

What happens in the first reading of OLP?

EP and Council discuss the proposal; amendments may be made; no deadline applies

What are 4-column documents?

Documents showing positions of EP, Council, and Commission to reach compromise during OLP

What happens if no agreement is reached in the first reading?

The procedure continues to the second reading with time constraints

What are trilogues?

Informal negotiations between the EP, Council, and Commission during legislative procedures

Who participates in trilogues?

EP rapporteurs, Council Presidency staff, and Commission officials (e.g., DGs)

What is a ‘general approach’ in the Council?

An informal stance adopted before the EP’s first reading to signal the Council’s position

What role do national parliaments play in legislative proposals?

They can issue subsidiarity concerns within 8 weeks after receiving the proposal.