I wanted to better understand how much change happens to a legislative proposal after the Commission tables it.
I chose a few proposals I know reasonably well: air pollution, CLP, Eco-design, and Urban Waste Water.
I looked at a few key moments in time:
First, the vote in the Committee.
Second, the EP’s vote on the Committee’s proposal.
Third, the Council’s position.
Fourth, the Political Agreement between the EP and the Council.
Fifth, COREPER’s sign off on that political agreement.
Sixth, the EP’s sign off on that political agreement.
I know there are many other steps involved but these are good moments in the legislative journey to track.
Some Key Lessons
- The Environment’s Committee tends to be endorsed by the full Parliament.
- The legislative negotiations between the Commission, Council and EP are consensus-driven. They are working to reach a deal.
- The key moments in time – the technical trilogues and formal trilogues – are when the real deal is made.
- The political agreement is rubber-stamped.
- When the deal is sealed, it is not walked back on.
- There will always be exceptions to general rules. But, rare exceptions should be treated as such, exceptional.
- As a lobbyist, you need to get your client’s position co-opted by the mainstream in the ENVI Committee and the Council soon after the Commission launches its proposal.
- The only text you need to analyse for the impacts if the Political Agreement. It will be carried through publication in the Official journal publication.
Committee’s Position: 13 February 2023. 63 votes in favour, 10 against, and 1 abstention.
EP Vote First Reading: 13 September 2023. 363 in favour, 226 against, and 46 abstentions.
Council General Approach: 9 November 2023
Political Agreement with the Council: 20 February 2024
COREPER approve agreement: 8 March 2024
Vote in Plenary on the Deal: 23 April 2024. 533 votes in favour, 11 against and 65 abstentions.
Committee’s Position: 27 2023. 46 votes in favour, 41 against, 1 abstention.
EP Vote First Reading: 4 October 2023. 519 in favour, 99 against, and 8 abstentions.
Council General Approach: 30 June 2023
Political Agreement with the Council: 5 December 2023
COREPER approve agreement:
Vote in Plenary on the Deal: 23 April 2024. 533 votes in favour, 11 against and 65 abstentions.
Committee’s Position: 15 June 2023. 68 votes in favour, 12 against and 8 abstentions.
EP Vote First Reading: 12 July 2023. 473 votes in favour, 110 against, and 69 abstentions.
Council General Approach: 22 May 2023
Political Agreement with the Council: 5 December 2023
COREPER approve agreement: 22 December 2023
Vote in Plenary on the Deal: 23 April 2024. 455 votes in favour, 99 against, and 54 abstentions.
Committee’s Position: 26 September 2023. 60 votes in favour, 10 against and 6 abstentions.
EP Vote First Reading: 5 October 2023. 420 votes in favour, 62 against and 84 abstentions.
Council General Approach: 16 October 2023
Political Agreement with the Council: 29 January 2024
COREPER approve agreement: 1 March 2024
Vote in Plenary on the Deal: 10 April 2024. 481 in favour, 79 against, and 26 abstentions.