European Parlament
Overview
- Role: Directly elected EU body with legislative, supervisory and budgetary responsibilities
- Membership: 705 Members of the European Parliament (Members of the European Parliament)
- President: David-Maria Sassoli
- Founded: 1952 Joint Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, 1962 European Parliament, first direct elections in 1979
- Location: Strasbourg (France), Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg
- Website: European Parlament
The European Parliament is the EU’s legislative body. it is Directly elected by EU voters Every 5 years. The last election was held in May 2019.
election
The European elections were held on 23-26 May 2019.
More information on the results of the 2019 European elections
What is Parliament doing?
Parliament has 3 main roles:
Legislation
Control
- Democratic scrutiny of all EU institutions
- The President of the Commission is elected and approved the Commission as a body. Opportunity to vote on a motion of censure obliging the Commission to resign
- Discharge, ie approval of the use of EU budgets
- to study citizens petitions and establishment queries
- We are discussing monetary policy with the European Central Bank
- Questionnaire from the Commission and the Council
- Election Observations
Budget
- Drawing up the EU budget together with the Council
- Adoption of the EU’s long-term budget, the “Multiannual Financial Framework”
Composition
Number Members of the European Parliament for each country there is approximately in relation to its population, but this is done on a degressive basis: no country can have less than 6 or more than 96 MEPs and the total cannot exceed 705 (704 plus the President). Members of the European Parliament are grouped political commitment, not on the basis of nationality.
The President represents Parliament other EU institutions and the outside world and gives final approval to the EU budget.
How many seats does each country get in the European Parliament?
How does Parliament work?
Parliament’s work consists of two main stages:
- committees – prepare legislation.
Parliamentary numbers 20 committees and three subcommittees, each dealing with a specific policy area. Legislative proposals are considered by committees, and MEPs and political groups can table amendments or propose that a bill be rejected. These issues are also being discussed in the political groups. - Plenary sessions – legislate.
At that time, all Members of Parliament will gather in the Chamber to vote definitively on the proposed legislation and the proposed amendments. It is usually held in Strasbourg four days a month, but sometimes there are additional sessions in Brussels.
Parliament and you
If you want calls on Parliament to act in a certain matter you can plea it (either by mail or online).
Petitions may cover any topic which falls within the competence of the EU.
To submit a petition, you must be a citizen or resident of an EU Member State. Businesses or other organizations need to be located here.
Other ways to contact Parliament must contact a local Member of the European Parliament, or European Parliament Information Office in your country.