This book analyses the different dimensions of the European Parliament's work in the 2019-2024 session, with each chapter focusing on one of the many challenges that MEPs have faced and are still facing as a result of political volatility. These include the impact of the increase in profile of Eurosceptic Members on both coalition building and the committee work that have been a traditional strength of the legislature, the activities of parliamentarians in relation to key policy areas such as public health and immigration, as well as the wider and broadly respected role of the EP in democracy promotion. Having faced these challenges for a number of years, it is even possible to argue that the 2020s will see a new 'era of the Parliament', following on from previous periods when either the European Commission or the Council of Ministers each in turn dominated European Union affairs in Brussels and Strasbourg.

This volume spans the fields of European politics, legislative studies, international relations, and comparative governance, making it an essential resource for academics, researchers, and graduate students in political science and European studies. It will also appeal to policy professionals, diplomats and EU officials seeking to understand the evolving role of the European Parliament.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Journal of Legislative Studies.

Autorentext

Martin Steven is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Lancaster University, UK. He is the Jean Monnet European Union Studies academic coordinator and founding convener of the European Parliament Academic Research Network.