Ex-post evaluation in the European Parliament: an increasing influence on the policy cycle

Abstract

ABSTRACT The European Parliament has institutionalised its use of ex-post evaluation in the wake of the EU Better Regulation agenda. This article explores the nature, function and impact of the European Parliament's evaluations. It briefly sets out its characteristic dual structure, which combines a political committee report with a technical supporting study drawn up by Parliament's research service. It then reflects on the manifold purposes of parliamentary evaluation. Thereby, particular attention is paid to policy learning and agenda setting. There is evidence that Parliament’s evaluations have, in some cases, been able to influence the agenda for the revision of existing EU legislation. This is supported by two case studies that demonstrate the European Parliament's increasing role and capacity to impact the European Commission's policy cycle. The first relates to the Directive on cross-border mergers and divisions, and the second to citizenship and residency by investment schemes (‘golden visas’ and ‘golden passports’).