7. Legislative Powers

Abstract

This chapter addresses what the legislative powers of the European Union are, and what types of procedures are legislative procedures. It begins by analysing the scope of the Union’s legislative competences. This scope is limited, as the Union is not a sovereign State. The chapter then looks at the different categories of Union competences. Depending on what competence category is involved, the Union will enjoy distinct degrees of legislative power. The chapter also considers the identity of the Union legislator. Various legislative procedures thereby determine how the Union must exercise its legislative competences. Finally, the chapter scrutinizes the principle of subsidiarity as a constitutional principle that controls the exercise of the Union’s shared legislative powers.