European integration has had a significant impact on the Italian Parliament. Its law-making powers have been reduced because important subject-matters have been transferred to EU legislation and its "powers of the purse” have been restricted because of constraints on budgetary policies.
Against this backdrop, European Treaties, Italian legislation and parliamentary Rules have established procedures for the participation of the Houses in the EU decision-making process. This participation takes place through: a) monitoring and policy-setting with respect to the government’s activity at European level; (B) monitoring the implementation of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality; C) political dialogue with the European Commission and relations with other EU institutions; D) interparliamentary cooperation; (E) power to oppose "passerelle clauses"; F) participation in the "European Semester" and approval of the Stability and Budget Law; (G) adaptation of national law to EU law through the European Enabling Act and the European Act. In the essay, these procedures, that constitute a highly complex labyrinth, are examined in relation to their concrete application.
The conclusion is that if we can speak of a Europeanization of our Parliament, in its relations with EU institutions, we are faced with "participation procedures" and "communication channels", without any effective decision-sharing powers. The most effective instrument for the Houses remains the traditional policy-setting power vis-à-vis the Government.
