4.The European Parliament shall, after seeking an opinion from the Commission and with the  approval of the Council acting by a qualified majority, lay down the regulations and general  conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman's duties.

ArticIe 2l

( Paragraphs 1 and 2 lapsed on 17 July 1979 in accordance with Article 14 of the Act  concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament )

[ See Article 1 of that Act which reads as follows:

1.The representatives in the European Parliament of the peoples of the States brought  together in the Community shall be elected by direct universal suffrage.]

[ See Article 2 of that Act which reads as follows:

2.The number of representatives elected in each Member State shall be as follows:

Belgium                 25
Denmark               16
Germany               99
Greece                  25
Spain                    64
France                  87
Ireland                  15
Italy                       87
Luxembourg          6
Netherlands          31
Austria                  21
Portugal               25
Finland                16
Sweden               22
United Kingdom   87 ] ( * )

( * ) Number of representatives as laid down by Article 11 AA A/FIN/SWE in the version  resulting from Article 5 AD AA A/FIN/SWE.

3. The European Parliament shall draw up proposals for elections by direct universal suffrage  in accordance with a uniform procedure in all Member States. ( ** )  

( ** ) On this point, see also Articles 7( 1 ) and ( 2 ) of the Act concerning the election of the  representatives of the European Parliament.

The Council shall, acting unanimously after obtaining the assent of the European Parliament,  which shall act by a majority of its component members, lay down the appropriate provisions,  which it shall recommend to Member States for adoption in accordance with their respective  constitutional requirements ( * ).

( * ) Paragraph 3 as amended by Article H( 7 ) TEU.

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