Twenty Years of Co-decision Since Maastricht: Inter- and Intrainstitutional Implications

Abstract

One of the most important institutional changes in the history of the EU was the introduction of the co-decision procedure in 1993. This new legislative procedure has transformed the EU system of governance by affecting both the balance of power between the EU institutions and their internal workings. This contribution takes stock of the first 20 years of co-decision by systematically bringing together and reviewing the findings in the existing literature on EU co-decision. Empirical and theoretical work is scrutinized, which examines the interinstitutional balance of power between the institutions, intrainstitutional power shifts within them and the normative implications of the procedure. Based on these findings, an overall assessment of the long-term implications of co-decision for the functioning of the EU is made.