European Parliament: Key Legislative Body of the European Union
About the European Parliament
The European Parliament (EP) is the directly elected legislative branch of the European Union (EU). Established in 1958 as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, it represents the more than 500 million citizens of the EU.
Powers and Responsibilities
As one of the three main institutions of the EU, alongside the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, the EP has significant powers and responsibilities. It shares legislative power with the Council, meaning it must approve all EU laws. The EP also has budgetary powers, overseeing the EU budget and holding the Commission accountable for its financial management.
Members and Elections
The EP consists of 705 directly elected members, known as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). MEPs are elected every five years through universal suffrage by EU citizens aged 18 or over. The next European elections will be held from June 6 to 9, 2024.
Political Groups
MEPs sit in political groups that bring together representatives with similar ideologies and political affiliations. The largest group in the current parliament is the European People's Party (EPP), followed by the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the Renew Europe group.
Role in the EU
The European Parliament plays a crucial role in the decision-making process of the EU. It initiates and amends legislation, approves the EU budget, and holds the Commission and other EU institutions accountable for their actions. The EP also acts as a forum for political debate and represents the views of EU citizens on key issues.
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