EU - ORDINARY LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE - GLOSSARY / UE - PROCEDURA LEGISLATIVA ORDINARIA - GLOSSARIO
ENG GLOSSARY A-item Council agendas are divided into A and B items. A-items are those on which agreement has been reached and which can be adopted without debate. This does not exclude any Council or Commission member expressing an opinion when the item is put to the vote. Absolute majority (in the European Parliament) An absolute majority is the majority of all members of the European Parliament (including those absent or not voting). In its present configuration with 751 MEPs, the threshold for an absolute majority is 376 votes. Associated committee If a matter to be discussed by Parliament falls almost equally within the competence of two or more committees, or parts of the issue fall within the competence of two or more committees, one committee is made the responsible committee and the other(s) associated committee(s). Responsible and associated committee work within a jointly agreed timetable, rapporteurs keep each other informed and tr...