What it is
Bill to make the Government report to Parliament on EU affairs
Admitted step 2 of 7 · UnfinishedIt is a members’ bill. Introduced by parliamentary groups, the Senate, regional governments or citizens. It was introduced on 10 September 2019. Introduced by: Grupo Parlamentario Ciudadanos.
Official title: Private member's bill on the accountability of the Government before the Cortes Generales regarding its participation in the institutions of the European Union.
Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 122/000046· updated 11 Nov
Automatic summary, not yet reviewed
- The bill would require the Government to appear before the full Congress of Deputies before and after each European Council, to explain Spain's position and what was decided, and to debate with parliamentary groups.
- It would expand the powers of the Joint Committee for the European Union: the committee could help shape the Government's position at EU Council meetings and later check whether the Government defends and follows what the committee approved.
- It would change how the opinion on the principle of subsidiarity is approved: first the relevant committees of the Congress and the Senate study it, and then the Joint Committee unifies it on behalf of the Cortes Generales.
- It would require Government members to appear before the Joint Committee before each Council of the European Union meeting to explain the Government's position on the items on the agenda.
Who it affects
- The Government: It would have to appear more often before Congress and the Joint Committee to explain its EU policy.
- Members of Congress and Senators: They could submit resolutions to influence the position Spain defends in the EU.
- The Joint Committee for the European Union: It would gain powers to oversee the Government and issue opinions on subsidiarity.
Words worth knowing
- Consejo Europeo (European Council)
- Meeting of the heads of government or state of EU countries.
- Comisión Mixta para la Unión Europea (Joint Committee for the European Union)
- Body made up of deputies and senators that oversees EU-related matters.
- Principio de subsidiariedad (principle of subsidiarity)
- The idea that the EU should only legislate when countries cannot do it well on their own.
- Proposición de ley (bill)
- A text by a parliamentary group proposing a law; it is not an approved law yet.
It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries
Where it stands
How far did it get?
It took 2 of 7 steps. It reached Admitted, and today it is unfinished.
- Introduced10 September 2019Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
- Admitted17 September 2019The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
- Amendmentsnot reachedGroups propose changes.
- Committeenot reachedA committee goes through the text in detail.
- Plenarynot reachedAll 350 deputies vote.
- Senatenot reachedThe Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
- BOEnot reachedIt is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 5 official steps on a timeline
Was there a plenary vote?
We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.
What happens next
What happens now?
The legislature ended before it finished. To go on, someone would have to introduce it again in the new Cortes.
It was presented again:
- XIV Legislature, Congreso de los Diputados· Unfinished Bill to have Parliament oversee the Government's EU role
Sources
Where does all this come from?
- Congreso de los Diputados, file 122/000046
Official title, type, author, dates and stage.
Retrieved 11 November 2026
- The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
- Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
- We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.