The European Parliament before the 2014-2019 Parliamentary Term in the Light of Innovations and Changes Introduced by the Lisbon Treaty

Abstract

Viewed through the prism of its historical evolution, the European Parliament has seen an original evolutionary process during which underwent a series of successive modifications of its competences and composition, at the same time with increasing of democratic legitimacy. Legitimated by direct universal suffrage, the European Parliament has gradually strengthened its position within the Community institutional system through a series of treaties, evolving from a purely advisory body, in an institution that plays an active role in drafting legislation, having, also budgetary powers and exercising democratic control over all institutions. Given the international context marked by the consequences of the monetary, financial, economic and social crisis, many Europeans have become more interested in European affairs and want the European Parliament to play a more important role in the future life of the European Union. For this reason, the European elections of 22-25 May 2014 are very important, a vote in the European elections is every citizen's chance to influence the shape of the Parliament and the future political course of the European Union. Therefore, this study seeks to highlight the importance of the 2014 European elections, especially these elections will be different due to the major new developments introduced by the Lisbon Treaty which granted the European Parliament a number of important new powers.