The challenges of policy oversight for the EuropeanParliament: how the committee system is adapting inits scrutiny of budgetary expenditure

• Paul Stephenson ^[1]
  1. [1] Maastricht University

     Maastricht University

     Países Bajos

     
• Localización: The Journal of legislative studies, ISSN 1357-2334, Vol. 31, Nº. 2, 2025, págs. 363-383
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1080/13572334.2024.2444772
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • In its scrutiny role the European Parliament (EP) makes wide use of severalinformational resources, including Commission evaluations and EuropeanCourt of Auditors’ performance audits. These crucial inputs into deliberativeprocesses of parliamentary oversight enable committees to monitor theperformance of policies financed by the EU budget. Effective scrutiny isfundamental for the throughput legitimacy and financial accountability of EUpolicy and law making. Traditionally the EP’s Budgetary Control Committee(CONT) has scrutinised ECA reports across all policy domains. However, duringthe eighth and ninth legislatures (2014-2024), direct contact has been forgedbetween the standing committees and ECA for the presentation of auditfindings, allowing committees a more retrospective perspective on policyperformance. Arguably, greater engagement and understanding of budgetarycontrol helps the EP as co-legislator deliver improved regulation and betterdesigned policy instruments. This article explores the evolving nature of EP-ECA committee relations and institutionalisation of new scrutiny arrangements.

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