What Is a Trilogue?
The informal three-way negotiations that shape most EU laws.
Trilogues are informal negotiations
A trilogue is an informal meeting between representatives of the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission. The goal is to reach agreement on a legislative text before the formal procedure is complete.
Why trilogues exist
The formal legislative procedure can take years if Parliament and Council go through multiple readings. Trilogues speed up the process by allowing direct negotiation. About 80% of EU laws are now agreed in trilogues before the first reading vote.
Who participates?
The Parliament is represented by the rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs. The Council is represented by the presidency. The Commission acts as mediator. Meetings are attended by a small number of negotiators from each institution.
Transparency concerns
Trilogues are criticized for being opaque. Unlike committee and plenary debates, they are not public. Critics argue this makes it harder for citizens and media to follow how laws are shaped. Supporters say informality is necessary for effective negotiation.