Launch EPTV's Demo of how draft proposals advance through the levels and hidden bonus rounds of codecision before becoming EU law or hitting Game Over.

Codecision: Press START to see how it works

It's a process repeated  for every new law to take effect:

a formal signature by the  President of the European Parliament.

But before getting here, every European law  has to pass through different stages,

Want to know how it all works  well time to take a closer look

at one of the most common  law-making tools, co-decision.

Officially, they call it  an ordinary legislative procedure

and it all starts here at the Commission.

Every week,  it's the College of Commissioner's job

to decide which legislative proposals  are put forward for deliberation.

But the original idea  can be started by Parliament,

the European Central Bank,  the European Investment Bank,

Once a proposal like this one  gets the green light

it's down to the nitty gritty,  but the process itself isn't so simple.

First stop, the proposal is simultaneously  sent to the Council and to Parliament.

A designated rapporteur is tasked  with putting together a draft report

that represents Parliament's position  on the proposal.

The responsible committee  will then discuss and vote on that report

Finally, the proposal  goes forward for plenary debate,

MEPs either adopt the law in its current  form or they make amendments.

Meanwhile, at the same time, the Council  prepares their position on the proposed law.

They have two options:  either they accept the proposal as it is

and its adopted into law,  or they make amendments

If amendments are made this is where  it becomes a bit like a cat and mouse game.

Approve the Council's new proposal  and the law is adopted.

This is usually where negotiations  are successfully concluded.

Reject the amendment outright  and the act is declared null and void

Lastly, Parliament can make changes  to the Council's draft

and boomerang it back to the Council  for a second reading.

If the Council agrees to the latest  amendments the proposal is adopted as law

Representatives from the Council  and the EP try to meet and hash out

a new text acceptable to both institutions.

The Commission also plays a hand at this  stage to try and reconcile both positions.

If a compromise can't be reached  it's Game Over.

But if they can agree on a text,  it's over to the last chance saloon.

Third and final Reading: amendments  are now completely out of the question.

To be adopted, both the Council and EP  have to give the final draft their approval.

To play again it's back to the beginning

and depends on whether the Commission  wants to roll the dice again.