How can Civil Organisations establish a Connection with EU Institutions? Vincent Porter European Media Policy Adviser to EURALVA

24 February 2010 Issues The EU Institutions The EU Institutions Citizenship and the Democratic Deficit Citizenship and the Democratic Deficit Citizenship, the EU and the National Interest Citizenship, the EU and the National Interest Citizenship versus Consumerism Citizenship versus Consumerism Conclusion Conclusion

24 February 2010 EU Institutions The European Commission (Európai Bizottság) The European Commission (Európai Bizottság) The European Parliament (Európai Parlament) The European Parliament (Európai Parlament) The Committee of the Regions (Odbor regija) The Committee of the Regions (Odbor regija) Economic & Social Committee (Gospodarski i socijalni odbor) Economic & Social Committee (Gospodarski i socijalni odbor) Council of the European Union (Európai Uniós Tanács) Council of the European Union (Európai Uniós Tanács)

24 February 2010 European Commission Proposed by European Council Proposed by European Council President + 26 members designate: Hungary: Lazlo Andor (MSZP) [employment, social affairs, and inclusion] President + 26 members designate: Hungary: Lazlo Andor (MSZP) [employment, social affairs, and inclusion] EP may only accept or reject proposal in toto. EP may only accept or reject proposal in toto. Sole body to propose new legislation Sole body to propose new legislation Co-determination via European Council and European Parliament Co-determination via European Council and European Parliament Implements Decisions Implements Decisions

24 February 2010 The European Parliament Large Constituencies (20 for Hungary, all won by FIDESZ) Large Constituencies (20 for Hungary, all won by FIDESZ) Proportional Representation (22/736 MEPs for Hungary: 14/265 FIDESZ (EPP/CDs); 4/184 MSP (Progressive SD Alliance); 3/27 JOBBIK (non-attached); 1/54 MDF (Conservative/Reformists) Proportional Representation (22/736 MEPs for Hungary: 14/265 FIDESZ (EPP/CDs); 4/184 MSP (Progressive SD Alliance); 3/27 JOBBIK (non-attached); 1/54 MDF (Conservative/Reformists) Each MEP Chooses/appointed to 1 of 21 Committees Each MEP Chooses/appointed to 1 of 21 Committees MEP Calendar: 60 days (= 12 weeks) part-sessions; 24 weeks committees & delegations; 12 weeks political group meetings; 4 weeks constituency work. MEP Calendar: 60 days (= 12 weeks) part-sessions; 24 weeks committees & delegations; 12 weeks political group meetings; 4 weeks constituency work. EP’s 3 main powers: Approve/reject (a) EU Commission; (b) EU Budget; Co-legislator with Council of Ministers EP’s 3 main powers: Approve/reject (a) EU Commission; (b) EU Budget; Co-legislator with Council of Ministers Lobbied by individuals, businesses, NGO’s, lobbying org’s Lobbied by individuals, businesses, NGO’s, lobbying org’s

24 February Committees of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs (Human Rights, & Security and Defence); Foreign Affairs (Human Rights, & Security and Defence); Development; International Trade; Development; International Trade; Budgets; Budgetary Control; Economic and Monetary Affairs; Employment and Social Affairs; Budgets; Budgetary Control; Economic and Monetary Affairs; Employment and Social Affairs; Environment, Public Health and Food Safety; Industry, Research and Energy; Internal Market and Consumer Protection; Environment, Public Health and Food Safety; Industry, Research and Energy; Internal Market and Consumer Protection; Transport and Tourism; Regional Development; Transport and Tourism; Regional Development; Agricultural and Rural Development; Fisheries; Agricultural and Rural Development; Fisheries; Culture and Education; Culture and Education; Legal Affairs; Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; Constitutional Affairs; Women’s Rights and Gender Equality; Petitions; and Financial, Economic and Social Crisis. Legal Affairs; Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; Constitutional Affairs; Women’s Rights and Gender Equality; Petitions; and Financial, Economic and Social Crisis.

24 February 2010 Committee of the Regions 344 Members (Hungary has 12 full & 12 alternate members) 344 Members (Hungary has 12 full & 12 alternate members) 27 national delegations: Hungarian delegation selected according to XXI law of 1996 on regional development, and resolution 2025/2004 of Government. 27 national delegations: Hungarian delegation selected according to XXI law of 1996 on regional development, and resolution 2025/2004 of Government. CoR evaluates likely impact of prospective EU policy at regional level – can be influential CoR evaluates likely impact of prospective EU policy at regional level – can be influential Can draw up Resolutions on topical issues Can draw up Resolutions on topical issues

24 February 2010 Economic & Social Committee Employers and Employees Organisations Employers and Employees Organisations 344 Members (Hungary has 12) 344 Members (Hungary has 12) Equal no’s of employers, employees, and third groups (e.g. farmers, consumers organisations, professional associations) Equal no’s of employers, employees, and third groups (e.g. farmers, consumers organisations, professional associations) May become redundant in light of Parliament’s increased powers May become redundant in light of Parliament’s increased powers “Promotes corporatism at the expense of democracy.” “Promotes corporatism at the expense of democracy.”

24 February 2010 European Council Ultimate Power rests with European Council Ultimate Power rests with European Council Agenda co-ordinated by Council President Agenda co-ordinated by Council President Responses to many Commission proposals co- ordinated by COREPER (Committee of Permanent Representatives; often -> “diplomatic” = ambiguous wording Responses to many Commission proposals co- ordinated by COREPER (Committee of Permanent Representatives; often -> “diplomatic” = ambiguous wording Council’s responses usually carry more weight than European Parliament in Co-determination Procedure Council’s responses usually carry more weight than European Parliament in Co-determination Procedure

24 February 2010 EU Citizenship and the Democratic Deficit Citizenship is Principally a National Construct Citizenship is Principally a National Construct PR can lead to misalignment between interests of Citizens and Members of European Parliament – but citizens should identify MEP’s “constituency weeks” PR can lead to misalignment between interests of Citizens and Members of European Parliament – but citizens should identify MEP’s “constituency weeks” Either establish EU-wide Organisation Either establish EU-wide Organisation Or work through national contacts on local issues Or work through national contacts on local issues In addition Monitor EU Websites & Eurobarometer In addition Monitor EU Websites & Eurobarometer Do not forget Council of Europe / Human Rights – and Implications of Lisbon Treaty Do not forget Council of Europe / Human Rights – and Implications of Lisbon Treaty

24 February 2010 Citizenship and EU Agenda The Commission is the only body which can initiate change The Commission is the only body which can initiate change The Commission is lobbied by European Council, European Parliament (through Committees), and Committee of Regions and private sector. The Commission is lobbied by European Council, European Parliament (through Committees), and Committee of Regions and private sector. Generally, others respond to the Commission’s Agenda Generally, others respond to the Commission’s Agenda EU Citizens should lobby for changes to Commission’s Proposals via European Parliament, Committee of Regions, European Non-Government Organisations, or National Governments EU Citizens should lobby for changes to Commission’s Proposals via European Parliament, Committee of Regions, European Non-Government Organisations, or National Governments EU Presidency [e. g. Hungary] can highlight issues EU Presidency [e. g. Hungary] can highlight issues

24 February 2010 Citizenship, the EU and the National Interest The EU: a Supranational Institution The EU: a Supranational Institution BUT NOTE: the Principle of Subsidiarity BUT NOTE: the Principle of Subsidiarity Directives move from “Harmonisation”, via “Mutual Recognition plus Minimum Standards” to “Subsidiarity” Directives move from “Harmonisation”, via “Mutual Recognition plus Minimum Standards” to “Subsidiarity” Most Directives are implemented via “National Laws, Regulations, or Administrative Actions” Most Directives are implemented via “National Laws, Regulations, or Administrative Actions” Always follow up changes at National Level Always follow up changes at National Level

24 February 2010 Problematic Issues Abuse (by other countries) of Country of Origin Rules Abuse (by other countries) of Country of Origin Rules Abuse of (by own state) State Aid Rules (e.g. Public Service Broadcasting) Abuse of (by own state) State Aid Rules (e.g. Public Service Broadcasting) Move from Official Regulation to Co-regulation and Self-Regulation (e.g. Audiovisual Commercial Communication) Move from Official Regulation to Co-regulation and Self-Regulation (e.g. Audiovisual Commercial Communication) Commission monitors implementation of Directives, but “only if incompatible with a provision or principle of Community Law” Commission monitors implementation of Directives, but “only if incompatible with a provision or principle of Community Law”

24 February 2010 Citizenship versus Consumerism EU’s Principal Purpose is to establish a Single European Market EU’s Principal Purpose is to establish a Single European Market Gives Free Movement of Labour -> Migration to Richer Countries Gives Free Movement of Labour -> Migration to Richer Countries Asymmetry in Provision of Information Asymmetry in Provision of Information Limited Information for Consumers Limited Information for Consumers Consumer Education is generally a Subsidiarity Issue Consumer Education is generally a Subsidiarity Issue

24 February 2010 Citizenship versus Consumerism Broadcasting: a Case Study Amsterdam Treaty allows State Aid for PSB in order to “fulfil democratic, social and cultural needs of society”. Amsterdam Treaty allows State Aid for PSB in order to “fulfil democratic, social and cultural needs of society”. But Commission only monitors the process of state aid for PBS, not the programme content. But Commission only monitors the process of state aid for PBS, not the programme content. TV services regulated by country of origin TV services regulated by country of origin Co-regulation allowed for product placement on TV, but no monitoring of notification to viewers. Co-regulation allowed for product placement on TV, but no monitoring of notification to viewers. Media Education: a subsidiarity issue? Media Education: a subsidiarity issue?

24 February 2010 How can Civil Organisations establish a Connection with EU Institutions? With Great Difficulty! With Great Difficulty! Nevertheless, We Must Try!! Nevertheless, We Must Try!!