The ordinary legislative procedure in the European Union, formerly the co-decision procedure, is inherently time-consuming, as it requires parallel deliberations in the Council and the European Parliament, followed by convergence through a three-reading process. Trilogues, introduced to accelerate negotiations, have proven effective in facilitating consensus but raise serious concerns regarding transparency and democratic accountability. This article argues that while trilogues enhance procedural efficiency, their growing role intensifies the EU’s democratic deficit unless accompanied by stronger regulatory safeguards. Particular attention is given to the impact of new communication technologies, which reshape channels and forms of citizen participation, further challenging the balance between efficiency and legitimacy. Employing a legal-theoretical approach, the paper formulates de lege ferenda proposals aimed at reinforcing democratic guarantees within trilogue practice.
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