Deminor Wiki - European Parliament

Read below for a definition of the term: "European Parliament".

What is the "European Parliament"?

The European Parliament is the legislative branch of the European Union (EU) and is the only EU institution directly elected by its citizens. Established in 1952 as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, it was later renamed the European Parliament in 1962. Based primarily in Strasbourg, France, with additional offices in Brussels, Belgium, and Luxembourg, the European Parliament plays a central role in shaping EU legislation, representing citizens’ interests, and ensuring democratic accountability within the EU.

Structure and Composition

The European Parliament is composed of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who are elected every five years by EU citizens in all member states. The number of MEPs per country is roughly proportional to its population, though smaller countries receive a degree of over-representation. As of the most recent election, the Parliament consists of 705 MEPs who sit according to political affiliations rather than nationality, forming transnational political groups based on shared ideological beliefs.

The President of the European Parliament is elected by MEPs and serves a renewable term of two and a half years. The President presides over parliamentary debates, represents the Parliament in its external relations, and signs the EU budget and legislative acts.

Roles and Responsibilities

The European Parliament has three primary roles within the EU:

  1. Legislative Power: The Parliament, together with the Council of the European Union, shares the responsibility for passing EU legislation. Through the ordinary legislative procedure, the Parliament and the Council jointly decide on most EU laws, covering areas like the single market, environmental policy, and consumer protection.
  2. Budgetary Authority: The Parliament holds budgetary powers, working with the Council to determine the EU’s budget. MEPs can amend, approve, or reject the proposed budget, influencing how funds are allocated to various EU programs.
  3. Supervisory Function: The Parliament monitors the activities of other EU institutions, especially the European Commission. It has the authority to approve or dismiss the Commission as a whole through a vote of confidence, conduct investigations, and question the Commission on its activities. It also scrutinizes the work of the European Central Bank (ECB) and other bodies, ensuring democratic oversight within the EU.

Legislative Process

The ordinary legislative procedure (formerly known as the co-decision procedure) is the primary method for passing EU legislation, involving both the Parliament and the Council. Under this procedure:

  1. The European Commission proposes a legislative act.
  2. The Parliament reviews the proposal, debates it in committee, and may amend it.
  3. The amended proposal is then sent to the Council, which can either accept, amend, or reject the changes.
  4. If there are disagreements, a conciliation committee may be convened to reach a compromise.
  5. The legislation becomes law once both the Parliament and Council approve the final text.

This procedure ensures that both the Parliament and Council have an equal role in creating EU law, reflecting the dual representation of citizens and member states.

Political Groups and Committees

MEPs organize themselves into political groups based on political ideology, not national affiliation. Major groups include the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe (RE), among others. Each group has a certain number of committee seats, allowing it to influence the Parliament's legislative agenda.

The Parliament also operates through committees, which are responsible for drafting legislation, reviewing proposals, and preparing reports on specific policy areas. These committees cover a range of topics, such as foreign affairs, trade, and environmental protection, and play a central role in shaping EU legislation before it reaches the full Parliament for debate and voting.

Influence and Impact

The European Parliament has evolved significantly since its inception, gaining increased powers through successive EU treaties. Initially, it held only advisory powers, but it now shares equal legislative power with the Council in most policy areas. This transformation has strengthened the democratic legitimacy of the EU, making the Parliament a key player in EU decision-making. The Parliament has been instrumental in passing legislation related to the single market, environmental standards, and digital rights, and it actively represents European citizens’ interests in debates on global issues.

Challenges

Despite its growing influence, the European Parliament has faced criticism over its complex structure and limited direct impact on some EU policies, particularly in areas reserved for intergovernmental cooperation. Additionally, low voter turnout in EU elections has raised concerns about democratic engagement. However, the Parliament continues to adapt and expand its role, with ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement within the EU.