Juncker neglecting legislative role?

Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the EU Commission, has decided to cut the number of EU laws discharged from 300 to just 23. This has caused the European Parliament to feel disgruntled as one of their main functions has been reduced. This is not to say they have little do, especially with the impending economic problems in Greece and the potential exit of Britain from the EU.

What has been proposed instead is better regulation which is said, in turn, will actually result in an improvement in law-making by the European Parliament. There are some objectors to this, fearing that better regulation will mean less regulation for business which ultimately will have an adverse effect on employees, consumers and the environment.

This move has also been criticised as an attempt to hurt the Eurosceptics politically and to help in dealing with David Cameron’s renegotiations by reducing the number of laws made in Brussels. Furthermore the fewer number of laws discharged by Brussels means greater competition to obtain one of the 23 legislative spots. It has been argued, therefore, that justice and the law has been pushed out of the way by bureaucracy and political feud.

It is not negligence on Juncker’s part, but rather a bold political move to try and defeat the adversaries of further European integration and progression. Jonathon Goldsmith comments “Better regulation may be a clever political ploy, but is it good for Europe”. It is indeed a clever ploy, but could eventually have a detrimental effect, as pro-Europe nations could feel let down by the lack of EU legislation.