INHALT

Rules of Procedure — 9th parliamentary term — July 2019

RULES OF PROCEDURE
9th parliamentary term
July 2019
TITLE I
MEMBERS, PARLIAMENT BODIES AND POLITICAL GROUPS
CHAPTER 1
Members of the European Parliament
Rule 1
European Parliament
Rule 2
Independent mandate
Rule 3
Verification of credentials
Rule 4
Term of office of Members
Rule 5
Privileges and immunities
Rule 6
Waiver of immunity
Rule 7
Defence of privileges and immunity
Rule 8
Urgent action by the President to assert immunity
Rule 9
Procedures on immunity
Rule 10
Standards of conduct
Rule 11
Members' financial interests and Transparency register
Rule 12
Internal investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Rule 13
Observers
CHAPTER 2
Officers of Parliament
Rule 14
Provisional Chair
(9)
Rule 15
Nominations and general provisions
(10)
Rule 16
Election of President — opening address
(11)
Rule 17
Election of Vice-Presidents
Rule 18
Election of Quaestors
Rule 19
Term of office of Officers
(12)
Rule 20
Vacancies
(13)
Rule 21
Early termination of an office
CHAPTER 3
Bodies and duties
Rule 22
Duties of the President
Rule 23
Duties of the Vice-Presidents
Rule 24
Composition of the Bureau
Rule 25
Duties of the Bureau
Rule 26
Composition of the Conference of Presidents
Rule 27
Duties of the Conference of Presidents
Rule 28
Duties of the Quaestors
Rule 29
Conference of Committee Chairs
Rule 30
Conference of Delegation Chairs
Rule 31
Continuity of an office during the election period
Rule 32
Accountability of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents
CHAPTER 4
Political groups
Rule 33
Establishment and dissolution of political groups
Rule 34
Activities and legal situation of the political groups
Rule 35
Intergroups
Rule 36
Non-attached Members
Rule 37
Allocation of seats in the Chamber
TITLE II
LEGISLATIVE, BUDGETARY, DISCHARGE AND OTHER PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 1
Legislative procedures — general provisions
Rule 38
Annual programming
Rule 39
Respect for fundamental rights
Rule 40
Verification of legal basis
Rule 41
Delegation of legislative powers and conferral of implementing powers
Rule 42
Verification of financial compatibility
Rule 43
Examination of respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality
Rule 44
Access to documents and provision of information to Parliament
Rule 45
Representation of Parliament in Council meetings
Rule 46
Right of Parliament to submit proposals
Rule 47
Requests to the Commission for submission of proposals
Rule 48
Consideration of legally binding acts
Rule 49
Acceleration of legislative procedures
Rule 50
Legislative procedures on initiatives originating from institutions other than the Commission or from Member States
CHAPTER 2
Procedure in committee
Rule 51
Legislative reports
Rule 52
Simplified procedure
Rule 53
Non-legislative reports
Rule 54
Own-initiative reports
Rule 55
Drafting of reports
Rule 56
Opinions of committees
Rule 57
Associated committee procedure
Rule 58
Joint committee procedure
CHAPTER 3
Ordinary legislative procedure
SECTION 1 —
FIRST READING
Rule 59
Vote in Parliament — first reading
Rule 60
Referral back to the committee responsible
Rule 61
Renewed referral to Parliament
Rule 62
First-reading agreement
SECTION 2 —
SECOND READING
Rule 63
Communication of the Council's position
Rule 64
Extension of time limits
Rule 65
Procedure in the committee responsible
Rule 66
Submission to Parliament
Rule 67
Vote in Parliament — second reading
Rule 68
Admissibility of amendments to the Council's position
Rule 69
Second-reading agreement
SECTION 3 —
INTERINSTITUTIONAL NEGOTIATIONS DURING THE ORDINARY LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE
Rule 70
General provisions
Rule 71
Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading
Rule 72
Negotiations ahead of Council's first reading
Rule 73
Negotiations ahead of Parliament's second reading
Rule 74
Conduct of negotiations
SECTION 4 —
CONCILIATION AND THIRD READING
Rule 75
Extension of time limits
Rule 76
Convening of the Conciliation Committee
Rule 77
Delegation to the Conciliation Committee
Rule 78
Joint text
SECTION 5 —
CONCLUSION OF THE PROCEDURE
Rule 79
Signing and publication of adopted acts
CHAPTER 4
Provisions specific to the consultation procedure
Rule 80
Modified proposal for a legally binding act
Rule 81
Commission position on amendments
Rule 82
Vote in Parliament
Rule 83
Follow-up to Parliament's position
Rule 84
Renewed referral to Parliament
CHAPTER 5
Constitutional matters
Rule 85
Ordinary Treaty revision
Rule 86
Simplified Treaty revision
Rule 87
Accession treaties
Rule 88
Withdrawal from the Union
Rule 89
Breach by a Member State of fundamental principles and values
Rule 90
Composition of Parliament
Rule 91
Enhanced cooperation between Member States
CHAPTER 6
Budgetary procedures
Rule 92
Multiannual financial framework
Rule 93
Annual budgetary procedure
Rule 94
Parliament's position on the draft budget
Rule 95
Budgetary conciliation
Rule 96
Definitive adoption of the budget
Rule 97
Provisional twelfths system
Rule 98
Implementation of the budget
Rule 99
Discharge to the Commission in respect of implementation of the budget
Rule 100
Other discharge procedures
Rule 101
Interinstitutional cooperation
CHAPTER 7
Internal budgetary procedures
Rule 102
Estimates of Parliament
Rule 103
Procedure to be applied when drawing up Parliament's estimates
Rule 104
Power to incur and settle expenditure, to approve accounts and to grant discharge
CHAPTER 8
Consent procedure
Rule 105
Consent procedure
CHAPTER 9
Other procedures
Rule 106
Procedure for delivering opinions on derogations to the adoption of the euro
Rule 107
Procedures relating to dialogue between management and labour
Rule 108
Procedures for scrutiny of envisaged voluntary agreements
Rule 109
Codification
Rule 110
Recasting
CHAPTER 10
Delegated and implementing acts
Rule 111
Delegated acts
Rule 112
Implementing acts and measures
Rule 113
Consideration under the associated committee procedure or the joint committee procedure
TITLE III
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
CHAPTER 1
International agreements
Rule 114
International agreements
Rule 115
Provisional application or suspension of the application of international agreements or establishment of the Union's position in a body set up by an international agreement
CHAPTER 2
External representation of the Union and the common foreign and security policy
Rule 116
Special representatives
Rule 117
International representation
CHAPTER 3
Recommendations on the Union's external action
Rule 118
Recommendations on the Union's external policies
Rule 119
Consultation of, and provision of information to, Parliament within the framework of the common foreign and security policy
Rule 120
Breach of human rights
TITLE IV
TRANSPARENCY OF BUSINESS
Rule 121
Transparency of Parliament's activities
Rule 122
Public access to documents
Rule 123
Access to Parliament
TITLE V
RELATIONS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
CHAPTER 1
Appointments
Rule 124
Election of the President of the Commission
Rule 125
Election of the Commission
Rule 126
Multiannual programming
Rule 127
Motion of censure on the Commission
Rule 128
Nomination of Judges and Advocates-General at the Court of Justice of the European Union
Rule 129
Appointment of the Members of the Court of Auditors
Rule 130
Appointment of the Members of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank
Rule 131
Appointments to the economic governance bodies
CHAPTER 2
Statements
Rule 132
Statements by the Commission, Council and European Council
Rule 133
Statements explaining Commission decisions
Rule 134
Statements by the Court of Auditors
Rule 135
Statements by the European Central Bank
CHAPTER 3
Parliamentary questions
Rule 136
Questions for oral answer with debate
Rule 137
Question Time
Rule 138
Questions for written answer
Rule 139
Major interpellations for written answer
Rule 140
Questions for written answer to the European Central Bank
Rule 141
Questions for written answer concerning the Single Supervisory Mechanism and the Single Resolution Mechanism
CHAPTER 4
Reports of other institutions and bodies
Rule 142
Annual and other reports of other institutions or bodies
CHAPTER 5
Resolutions and recommendations
Rule 143
Motions for resolutions
Rule 144
Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
CHAPTER 6
Consultation of other institutions and bodies
Rule 145
Consultation of the European Economic and Social Committee
Rule 146
Consultation of the Committee of the Regions
Rule 147
Requests to European Agencies
CHAPTER 7
Interinstitutional agreements
Rule 148
Interinstitutional agreements
CHAPTER 8
Referrals to the Court of Justice of the European Union
Rule 149
Proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union
TITLE VI
RELATIONS WITH NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS
Rule 150
Exchange of information, contacts and reciprocal facilities
Rule 151
Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC)
Rule 152
Conferences of parliaments
TITLE VII
SESSIONS
CHAPTER 1
Sessions of Parliament
Rule 153
Parliamentary term, sessions, part-sessions, sittings
Rule 154
Convening of Parliament
Rule 155
Venue of sittings and meetings
Rule 156
Attendance of Members at sittings
CHAPTER 2
Order of business of Parliament
Rule 157
Draft agenda
Rule 158
Adopting and amending the agenda
Rule 159
Procedure in plenary without amendment and debate
Rule 160
Short presentation
Rule 161
Extraordinary debate
Rule 162
Topical debate requested by a political group
Rule 163
Urgent procedure
Rule 164
Joint debate
Rule 165
Time limits
CHAPTER 3
General rules for the conduct of sittings
Rule 166
Access to the Chamber
Rule 167
Languages
Rule 168
Transitional arrangement
Rule 169
Distribution of documents
Rule 170
Electronic handling of documents
Rule 171
Allocation of speaking time and list of speakers
(31)
Rule 172
One-minute speeches
Rule 173
Personal statements
Rule 174
Prevention of obstruction
(32)
CHAPTER 4
Measures to be taken in the event of non-compliance with the standards of conduct of members
Rule 175
Immediate measures
Rule 176
Penalties
Rule 177
Internal appeal procedures
CHAPTER 5
Quorum, amendments and voting
Rule 178
Quorum
Rule 179
Thresholds
(33)
Rule 180
Tabling and presenting amendments
(34)
Rule 181
Admissibility of amendments
(35)
Rule 182
Voting procedure
(36)
Rule 183
Order of voting on amendments
(37)
Rule 184
Committee filter of plenary amendments
Rule 185
Split voting
(38)
Rule 186
Right to vote
(39)
Rule 187
Voting
(40)
Rule 188
Final vote
Rule 189
Tied votes
(41)
Rule 190
Voting by roll call
(42)
Rule 191
Voting by secret ballot
(43)
Rule 192
Use of electronic voting system
(44)
Rule 193
Disputes on voting
(45)
Rule 194
Explanations of votes
CHAPTER 6
Points of order and procedural motions
Rule 195
Points of order
(46)
Rule 196
Procedural motions
Rule 197
Motions calling for a matter to be declared inadmissible
Rule 198
Referral back to committee
Rule 199
Closure of a debate
Rule 200
Adjournment of a debate or vote
(47)
Rule 201
Suspension or closure of the sitting
(48)
CHAPTER 7
Public record of proceedings
Rule 202
Minutes
Rule 203
Texts adopted
Rule 204
Verbatim reports
(49)
Rule 205
Audiovisual record of proceedings
TITLE VIII
COMMITTEES AND DELEGATIONS
CHAPTER 1
Committees
Rule 206
Setting-up of standing committees
Rule 207
Special committees
Rule 208
Committees of inquiry
Rule 209
Composition of committees
Rule 210
Duties of committees
Rule 211
Questions of competence
Rule 212
Subcommittees
Rule 213
Committee bureaux
Rule 214
Committee coordinators
Rule 215
Shadow Rapporteurs
Rule 216
Committee meetings
Rule 217
Minutes of committee meetings
Rule 218
Voting in committee
Rule 219
Provisions concerning plenary sittings applicable in committee
Rule 220
Question Time in committee
Rule 221
Procedure for the consultation by a committee of confidential information in a committee meeting in camera
Rule 222
Public hearings and debates on citizens' initiatives
CHAPTER 2
Interparliamentary delegations
Rule 223
Setting-up and duties of interparliamentary delegations
Rule 224
Joint parliamentary committees
Rule 225
Cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
TITLE IX
PETITIONS
Rule 226
Right of petition
Rule 227
Examination of petitions
Rule 228
Fact-finding visits
Rule 229
Notice of petitions
Rule 230
Citizens' initiative
TITLE X
OMBUDSMAN
Rule 231
Election of the Ombudsman
Rule 232
Activities of the Ombudsman
Rule 233
Dismissal of the Ombudsman
TITLE XI
PARLIAMENT'S SECRETARIAT
Rule 234
Parliament's Secretariat
TITLE XII
POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATING TO EUROPEAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND EUROPEAN POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS
Rule 235
Powers and responsibilities relating to European political parties and European political foundations
(54)
TITLE XIII
APPLICATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE
Rule 236
Application of the Rules of Procedure
Rule 237
Amendment of the Rules of Procedure
TITLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Rule 238
The symbols of the Union
Rule 239
Gender Mainstreaming
Rule 240
Unfinished business
Rule 241
Corrigenda
ANNEX I
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WITH RESPECT TO FINANCIAL INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Article 1
Guiding principles
Article 2
Main duties of Members
Article 3
Conflicts of interest
Article 4
Declaration by Members
Article 5
Gifts or similar benefits
Article 6
Activities of former Members
Article 7
Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members
Article 8
Procedure in the event of possible breaches of the Code of Conduct
Article 9
Implementation
ANNEX II
CODE OF APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR FOR MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN EXERCISING THEIR DUTIES
ANNEX III
CRITERIA FOR QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER UNDER RULES 138, 140 AND 141
ANNEX IV
GUIDELINES AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN CHOOSING THE SUBJECTS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE DEBATE ON CASES OF BREACHES OF HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW PROVIDED FOR UNDER RULE 144
Fundamental principles
Practical details
Limitation and allocation of speaking time
Deadline for tabling amendments
ANNEX V
PROCEDURE FOR THE CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF DECISIONS ON THE GRANTING OF DISCHARGE
Article 1
Documents
Article 2
Consideration of report
Article 3
Content of the Report
Article 4
Consideration and vote in Parliament
Article 5
Procedural variants
Article 6
Implementation of discharge decisions
ANNEX VI
POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES (1)
I.
Committee on Foreign Affairs
II.
Committee on Development
III.
Committee on International Trade
IV.
Committee on Budgets
V.
Committee on Budgetary Control
VI.
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
VII.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
VIII.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
IX.
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
X.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
XI.
Committee on Transport and Tourism
XII.
Committee on Regional Development
XIII.
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
XIV.
Committee on Fisheries
XV.
Committee on Culture and Education
XVI.
Committee on Legal Affairs
XVII.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
XVIII.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
XIX.
Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
XX.
Committee on Petitions
ANNEX VII
APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION AND MONITORING OF COMMITMENTS MADE DURING THE HEARINGS
Part I — Parliament's consent with regard to the entire College of the Commission
Article 1
Basis for assessment
Article 2
Examination of declaration of financial interests
Article 3
Hearings
Article 4
Evaluation
Article 5
Presentation of the college
Article 6
Monitoring of commitments made during the hearings
Part II — Substantial portfolio change or change in the composition of the College of Commissioners during its term of office
Article 7
Vacancy
Article 8
Accession of a new Member State
Article 9
Substantial portfolio change
Article 10
Vote in plenary
ANNEX VIII
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DRAFTING OF ACTS ADOPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDINARY LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE