The leaders of the European Parliament are considering a new proposal which would increase the power of its president and political groups and decrease the influence of individual members.
The paper, submitted by Secretary General Klaus Welle aims to increase the control that political groups have over the legislative process and to decrease the impact of individual members who could try to advocate the interests of their own countries instead of those of the parties they are part of; which could cause divisions in the Parliament. It also calls for the President to be a political power broker rather than an interlocutor, as “The President speaks for the House”.
The power shift includes giving political parties more of a say in first readings and raises the parliamentary questions and declarations of vote as issues of concern.
Reactions are mixed with some in favour, as they see political groups as the core structure of the Parliament; and other against supporting the opinion that Schulz is taking the role as President too far.
Read more in Politico.