Governance, accountability, and political legitimacy: who participates in the European parliament’s committee hearings (ECON 2004–2014)

The Europeanization of economic and financial governance poses a legitimacy question for the European Parliament (EP). Drawing from theories on resource-exchange institutional legitimacy, we argue that committee hearings allow EP to demonstrate its relevance as political authority. We test our argument, focusing Committee Economic & Monetary Affairs (ECON). Through an unprecedented systematic analysis hearings; provide fine-grained identification all participants across two legislatures (2004-2014). observe considerable shift in use 6th 7th legislature, reflected increase events participants. While business interests retain strong presence, participants’ composition changes substantially. Research organizations EU-level executive bodies saw largest increase. Conversely, national level decrease participation. Theoretically, examine understudied area governance, while contributing discussions interest group access, agency accountability, deliberative procedures.