The European Parliament as an agenda promoter in EU foreign policy: the genesis of the EU diplomatic academy

Abstract

After the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament (EP) became a co-legislator with the Council. Its influence, including in the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), has grown through its legislative, supervisory, and budgetary powers. The EP shapes the CFSP by scrutinising international agreements, approving the CFSP budget, and overseeing the actions of the Commission and Council. Although formal legislative initiatives are lacking, this study explores the impact of the EP on CFSP agenda-setting during the 2019–2024 legislature, focusing on the pilot project initiated by MEP Sánchez-Amor to establish a European Union Diplomatic Academy (EUDA) supported by the European External Action Service (EEAS). This project, already approved by the Council, illustrates how the EP strategically uses budgetary allocations to influence the EU’s external action agenda. An analysis of official documents and interviews reveals the role of the EP as a policy entrepreneur through strategic collaborations with institutions holding formal initiative powers.

Es la versión enviada a la editorial. Se puede consultar la versión final en https://doi.org/10.1080/13572334.2024.2443880