‘Interparliamentary Co-operation in the European Union: Towards Multi-level Governance’

The objective of this research is not to provide an eclectic overview on the scholarly debates leading to variations on the Multi-Level Governance (MLG) theme, but to examine the relevance of this core model in the context of distinct forms of parliamentary representation referring to a particular case study by also giving a certain preference to a comparative politics perspective. More specifically, this contribution aims at assessing whether ‘multi-level’ parliamentary cooperation truly exist within the European Union (EU) and to what degree there is vertical collaboration between the European Parliament (EP) and national parliaments (NPs). For the purpose of this investigation, the British and Italian parliaments have been taken into consideration. This choice has been motivated by the need to provide two distinct parliamentary models that reflect largely opposing viewpoints with regard to the future of the EU. After a brief outline of the main characteristics of the two NPs and the EP, the research turns to the question of parliamentary involvement in EU affairs by looking into the fifth enlargement of the Union. The recognition of three parliamentary positions on this historical event offers important insights into the development of the role of parliaments and their cooperation in international affairs. Since such ‘parliamentary diplomacy’ or ‘paradiplomacy’ has been intensified over the last decade at bilateral, multilateral and international levels it does raise questions about the legitimacy of new governance mechanisms.