An Impact of the Treaty of Lisbon on the Position of the European Parliament

The Treaty of Lisbon, signed on 13 December 2007 is a consecutive treaty reforming the European Union. Even if composed of only seven articles, it has launched substantial systemic and institutional reforms. The article provides an analysis of structural and procedural solutions concerning the European Parliament which seem to be aimed at changing its position in the institutional system of the EU. The authors examine the representative nature of the European Parliamnt and point out the change of the subject of representation and the method of determination of the quota of seats. They also deals with new prerogatives and functions of the European Parliament as well as its relations with other EU institutions and national parliaments. Particular attention is paid to the reform of secondary legislation and law making procedures, which strengthens the position of Parliament in relation to the Council. The Treaty of Lisbon substantially modifies creative powers of European Parliament which has obtained new competences in the sphere of appointment of judges and advocates general of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The authors also emphasise an increased role of the European Parliament in the adoption of the EU budget. An analysis of the impact of the reform initiated by the Treaty of Lisbon shows that despite streghtening of the role of the European Parliament in many areas, it has not lead to revolutionary changes in the status of the European Parliament