TY - JOUR A1 - Hallerberg, Mark A1 - Marzinotto, Benedicta A1 - Wolff, Guntram T1 - Explaining the evolving role of national parliaments under the European Semester JF - Journal of European Public Policy N2 - This contribution examines and explains the role of national parliaments in the European Semester process. It builds on original survey-based evidence and traces whether national parliaments discuss and vote on Stability/Convergence and on National Reform Programmes; how their involvement changed over time; and what might condition national varieties of parliamentary scrutiny over European Union (EU) affairs. We find significant cross-country variation in whether the debate is taking place at the parliamentary level; whether it is European Affairs or finance committees that are involved; and whether there is involvement ex ante (before submission) and/or ex post (after country-specific recommendations). From 2012 to 2015, finance committees played an increasingly prominent role. Traditional measures of the strength of parliament do not explain what we observe. We do find that non-euro area member states were most likely to monitor EU recommendations under the European Semester and that this effect increased over time. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1080/13501763.2017.1363273 SN - 1466-4429 N1 - Published online: 31 Aug 2017 VL - 25 IS - 2 SP - 250 EP - 267 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pisani-Ferry, Jean A1 - Demertzis, Maria A1 - Sapir, André A1 - Wieser, Thomas A1 - Wolff, Guntram T1 - One size does not fit all: European integration by differentiation JF - Policy Brief N2 - THE ISSUE Reforming the governance of the European Union has become urgent for three reasons: to better deal with politically-sensitive topics, to manage greater external challenges mand because future EU enlargement will increase the diversity of the bloc’s membership. The answer to disagreement typically has been qualified majority voting, but on sensitive topics, the EU has increasingly moved to unanimity and heavy European Council involvement, which has often not delivered results. The alternative answer has been a Europe of multiple speeds of integration with one shared goal for all, increasing political tensions. A different approach is now needed to move Europe forward. POLICY CHALLENGE Two options would be a Europe of concentric circles and a Europe of ‘clubs’, but the former would cement tensions between the inner and the outer circles, while the latter would lead to unclear structures and an end to cohesion. However, a governance model could combine the two approaches. The model would be based on a strong ‘bare-bones EU’ formed by the single market, trade and accompanying policies, the European institutions, treaties, rule of law and a commitment to fundamental EU values. Three policy areas would be completely moved into ‘clubs’ while remaining based on the bare-bones legal and institutional structure: economic and monetary union; Schengen and asylum policy; and foreign and security policy and neighbourhood policy. Club membership would be optional but once in, countries would have to accept the rules and there would be high hurdles to leaving. Finally, a ring of friends would surround the bare-bones EU, based on very close economic relationships and some multilateral discussion elements, but no formal votes. Y1 - 2018 UR - http://bruegel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/PB-2018_03_final3.pdf VL - 3 SP - 1 EP - 12 ER -