Democratic legitimacy and political representation in the EU institutions

The integration of the European Union (EU) has been an ever-changing process of institutional reform. The summit agendas of the heads of state and governments are characterized by discussions and debates between member states on treaties, conventions, intergovernmental conferences and, more specifically, on Union rules, on changes in the modus operandi of the supranational bodies of Brussels and Strasbourg and on enlargements to include new members. Moreover, the planning of institutional change has to be carried out alongside the EU’s increasing day-to-day activity.