Summary
Lousewies van der Laan en Herman Beun
Een Europees parlement dat ertoe doet
Lousewies van der Laan and Herman Beun advocate a far-reaching enhancement of the European Parliament. First, because with the EU enlargement and the required transformation of the current treaties into a European Constitution this may be the most suitable moment to take decisive steps towards a more democratic and efficient European Union. Secondly, since the public distrust towards Europe does not constitute an argument against, but precisely an argument pro such enhancement of the European Parliament. This enhancement concerns, among others, full financial and legislative competences, a genuine supervisory role as regards European foreign policy, a greater say in the nomination of the Commission president, better opportunities to prevent unnecessary legislation, individual parliamentary accountability for European Commissioners and the right to determine its own work place.