This simple fact is buried deep into European Union Treaty and this guy knows it fully. Its executive branch who makes legislative decissions in EU. The very decission to sign ACTA was made oficially by agriculture and fishery ministers of EUC. It was perfectly lawful, according to EU Treaty.
Even in popular brief descripions of EP powers (as in wikipedia) there is "an official statement" that EP is legislative branch followed by very long talkative presentation of "special cases" and "special procedures". It all boils down to simple truth: in any important area EP can make its power by issuing non-binding opinions and talking to media. MEPs may at most decide what will be official european color of their next meeting. Not much more.
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EP has no real legislative power.
Even in popular brief descripions of EP powers (as in wikipedia) there is "an official statement" that EP is legislative branch followed by very long talkative presentation of "special cases" and "special procedures". It all boils down to simple truth: in any important area EP can make its power by issuing non-binding opinions and talking to media. MEPs may at most decide what will be official european color of their next meeting. Not much more.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by ohir.
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