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Assent procedure

The "assent" procedure is required in cases such as applications for membership of the Union and certain major international agreements. The assent procedure was introduced by the Single European Act as a way of giving the right of veto to the European Parliament over certain important decisions taken by the Council of Ministers such as EU membership, uniform electoral procedures and free movement of persons.

The procedure requires the European Parliament to give its assent by an absolute majority of its total membership in favour of the legislative act in question before the Council could adopt the act.