European Parliament resolution of 9 June 2022 on the call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties (2022/2705(RSP))
Date: 2022-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: EU institution, Treaty on European Union, Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, economic relations, operation of the Institutions, qualified majority, revision of the Treaty (EU), third country, voting method








C_2022493EN.01013001.xml










27.12.2022   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 493/130






P9_TA(2022)0244
The call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties
European Parliament resolution of 9 June 2022 on the call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties (2022/2705(RSP))
(2022/C 493/13)

The European Parliament,






—


having regard to Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU),










—


having regard to the report of 9 May 2022 on the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe (the Conference),










—


having regard to its resolution of 4 May 2022 on the follow-up to the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe (1),










—


having regard to its resolutions of 16 February 2017 on possible evolutions of and adjustments to the current institutional set-up of the European Union (2) and of 13 February 2019 on the state of the debate on the future of Europe (3),










—


having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,










A.


whereas the current version of the Treaties entered into force on 1 December 2009 and whereas the European Union has faced several crises and unprecedented challenges since;










B.


whereas on 9 May 2022 the Conference finished its work and presented its conclusions, which contain 49 proposals and 326 measures;










C.


whereas in addition to legislative proposals, the opening of a process of institutional reforms is needed in order to implement the recommendations and meet the expectations of this citizens’ participation process;










D.


whereas new policies and, in some cases, Treaty amendments, are necessary not as a means in themselves, but in the interests of all EU citizens, as they aim to reshape the EU in a way that will enhance its capacity to act, as well as its democratic legitimacy and accountability;












1.


Welcomes the conclusions of the Conference of 9 May 2022;












2.


Points out that in line with the founding text of the Conference, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have committed to following up effectively on the conclusions of the Conference, each within the remit of their competences and in accordance with the Treaties;












3.


Notes that several of the Conference proposals require amendments to the Treaties, and that Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs shall prepare proposals for Treaty amendments accordingly;












4.


Points out, especially following the most recent crises, that the Treaties need to be amended urgently to make sure the Union has the competence to take more effective action during future crises;












5.


Submits to the Council under the ordinary revision procedure laid down in Article 48 TEU, for those reasons, the following proposals for the amendment of the Treaties, inter alia:






—


to enhance the Union’s capacity to act by reforming voting procedures, including allowing decisions in the Council by qualified majority voting instead of unanimity in relevant areas, such as the adoption of sanctions and so-called passerelle clauses, and in the event of an emergency;










—


to adapt the competences conferred on the Union in the Treaties, especially in the areas of health and cross-border health threats, in the completion of the energy union based on energy efficiency and renewable energies designed in line with international agreements to mitigate climate change, in defence, and in social and economic policies; to ensure the European Pillar of Social Rights is fully implemented and to incorporate social progress in Article 9 TFEU linked to a Social Progress Protocol into the Treaties; to support strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the EU economy, with special attention paid to small and medium-sized enterprises and competitiveness checks and to promote future-oriented investments focused on the just, green and digital transitions;










—


to provide Parliament with full co-decision rights on the EU budget, and with the right to initiate, amend or repeal legislation;










—


to strengthen the procedure for the protection of the values the EU is founded on and to clarify the determination and consequences of breaches of fundamental values (Article 7 TEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union);
















6.


Proposes more specifically that the following Treaty articles be amended as follows:






—


Article 29 TEU

‘The Council shall adopt decisions which shall define the approach of the Union to a particular matter of a geographical or thematic nature. 
Where a decision provides for the interruption or reduction, in part or completely, of economic and financial relations with one or more third countries, the Council shall act by a qualified majority.
 Member States shall ensure that their national policies conform to the Union positions.’











—


Article 48(7), fourth subparagraph TEU

‘For the adoption of 
these decisions
, the European Council shall act by 
a qualified majority as defined in Article 238(3), point (b), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
 after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, which shall be given by a majority of its component members.’

















7.


Calls on the Council to submit these proposals directly to the European Council for examination, with a view to convening a Convention composed of representatives of the national parliaments, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, Parliament and the Commission;












8.


Believes that representatives of the EU’s social partners, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, EU civil society and candidate countries should be invited as observers to the Convention;












9.


Instructs its President to transmit this resolution to the Council and to forward it to the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.






(1)  Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0141.

(2)  OJ C 252, 18.7.2018, p. 201.

(3)  OJ C 449, 23.12.2020, p. 90.