Legislation on European Parliament (Eur-Lex)

About legal materials related to the European Union.

Just in time for the European Parliament elections, the European Union’s legislative portal Eur-Lex has published a new thematic file with legislative instruments, preparatory acts and other acts on the European Parliament.




The thematic files are potentially useful for those who are interested in a certain area, but here I would like to add a word of caution. I checked two documents to verify the quality:

1) First, the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. The primary reference is to the original edition published in the Official Journal in 2005, but even if you look for the later information, you would miss later and the latest amendments in force, those entering into force after the European elections and the ones lying in wait in case the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force.


2) With regard to the Act concerning the elections of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, you almost have to know in advance that you need to find the consolidated version, if you want meaningful information.

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Two suggestions: The thematic files could become even more user-friendly by checking possible amendments, recent or lying in wait, with the relevant services. It might be a good idea to refer directly to the consolidated versions of acts (if any); the researcher who needs the original acts can easily find them from there by going in the reverse direction.


Ralf Grahn