How Does The Ordinary Legislative Procedure of the EU (OLP) Work?

The Ordinary Legislative Procedure is how the European Union makes most of its laws, like a group of friends deciding on a game plan together.

Imagine you and your friends are planning a big party at school, but you need to agree on what games to play. In the EU, countries (like your friends) and the European Parliament (like the class president) both get to say their piece.

1. The European Commission starts it all by proposing a new law, like one friend suggesting "we should have a pizza party."
2. Then the European Parliament gets to talk about it, maybe change some parts, like you saying, "We need more drinks too!"
3. Next, the Council of the EU (like your teachers) also discusses and agrees on the law.
4. If both the Parliament and the Council agree, the law becomes official, and everyone can enjoy their pizza party!

Sometimes they might disagree at first, but they work it out together, just like friends figuring out what to do at lunchtime!