Article on the codecision procedure

[<xdrudis@tinet.org>]

Hello, 

since I once pointed to the Treaty art. 251 on codecision procedure,
I'd like to also give this URL of an article that analyses the practical 
play between Comission, Council and Parliament and says that the role 
of the Parliament is stronger than implied by the Treaty, and
increasingly so, so far. I have no idea about politics, so don't 
ask me how accurate this article is, but the idea I get is that 
decisions are taken in informal mettings between Council and Parliament
people, more than in formal rounds 
or hearings in any of this isntitutions. Not that this is any new,
either. 

http://eiop.or.at/eiop/texte/2002-003.htm

The article is long and maybe not imprescindible, so you may want 
to skip it if busy. I haven't reached much of a conclusion on how 
it affects the best way to contact politicians, except maybe 
that don't forget your MEPs. Best would be to talk to state
representatives _and_ MEPs, so that at least they know there's 
an issue. 

Note: the codecision procedure is the one used to decide on the
directive proposal on software patents.