[x775]

Ultimately, both the EU Council and the European Parliament must agree on legislation for it to pass. The Parliament acts as a co-legislator with equal legislative power in this process, effectively representing the citizens while the Council represents the member states governments. Both have to agree. In the case of Chat Control, Denmark, as the current EU Council Presidency, revived the proposal (after it previously failed to reach agreement during both the Belgian and Polish Presidency). In order for this to pass at the Council level, at least 15/27 member states must support it. If this were to happen, it would then reach the European Parliament and would have to be approved there as well. However, as support at the Council level seems greater than in previous renditions (supported further by Denmark's insistence on an expedited vote scheduled for October 14), it seems prudent to target beyond merely the Council-level.

[sampo]

> The Parliament acts as a co-legislator with equal legislative power in this process

The EU Parliament doesn't have equal legislative power. EU Commission proposes legislation, and the parliament can only accept or reject. Of course informally they can discuss with the Commission and let the Commission know what they would or would not pass.

> effectively representing the citizens while the Council represents the member states governments

This is true. But you maybe forgot another body, the EU Commission.

EU Council, Council of the EU: Represent member states

EU Commission: Represents the EU

EU Parliament: Represents the citizens

I guess US doesn't have a body like the EU Commission, that is not elected and that represents the interests of the "deep state".

[andrepd]

> The EU Parliament doesn't have equal legislative power. EU Commission proposes legislation, and the parliament can only accept or reject.

Note that this means that, crucially, the Parliament also cannot repeal laws. Which means that they can just try and try and try again, and if it passes once, it cannot be withdrawn except by initiative of the commission.

It's like the IRA said to Thatcher, you have to be lucky every time, they only have to be lucky once.

[cccbbbaaa]

> I guess US doesn't have a body like the EU Commission, that is not elected and that represents the interests of the "deep state".

The Commission is the executive branch, so maybe an equivalent would be the Executive Departments?

[lucideer]

To be clear, I wasn't saying Parliament wouldn't have a say - mainly pointing out that the website's information about MEP's current position on the regulation is incorrect.

[like_any_other]

> The Parliament acts as a co-legislator with equal legislative power in this process

I think that's misleading. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, only the Council can propose legislation, while the Parliament can only accept or reject the Council's proposals [1]. Meaning that the Parliament can neither change nor reverse course - it is completely decided by the Council. All the Parliament can do is limit how fast that course is followed.

Edit: Sorry, what I wrote about the "Council" should have been about the "EU Commission" instead. The Council may in fact have equal power, as you wrote.

[1] Which I think (but was unable to explicitly confirm) extends to removing old legislation. I.e. the Council only has to get its way once, and then we're stuck with a law, unless the Council proposes to remove it. A ratchet.

[sampo]

> Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, only the Council can propose legislation, while the Parliament can only accept or reject the Council's proposals [1].

EU Council (Meeting of EU countries' head of states): Proposes what should be done

Council of the EU (Council of ministers of EU countries): Proposes what should be done

EU Commission: Proposes legislation

EU Parliament: Approves legislation