European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU). It has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world. The European Parliament is composed of 705 members, who are directly elected every five years by EU citizens. Its members are known as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
History
The European Parliament was established in 1952 as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community. It was the first supranational parliamentary institution of the European Communities. In 1979, it was renamed the European Parliament and directly elected for the first time. Since then, it has grown in size and power.
Powers
The European Parliament has a number of important powers. It has the power to pass legislation on a range of areas, including the environment, energy, consumer protection, transport, agriculture, and justice and home affairs. It can also approve the annual EU budget and exercise democratic control over the other EU institutions.
Legislative Power
The European Parliament has the power to pass legislation on a range of areas. It can propose new laws, amend existing laws, or reject proposed laws. It must approve any new laws proposed by the European Commission, and it can also propose amendments to those laws.
Budgetary Power
The European Parliament has the power to approve the annual EU budget. It must approve the budget before it can be adopted. The Parliament can also propose amendments to the budget.
Democratic Control
The European Parliament has the power to exercise democratic control over the other EU institutions. It can call on the European Commission to take action on a particular issue, or it can demand that the Commission provide information on a particular issue. It can also call for the resignation of the Commission or its members.
Structure
The European Parliament is composed of 705 members, who are directly elected every five years by EU citizens. Its members are known as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). MEPs are organised into political groups based on their political affiliation. These groups are:
- European People’s Party
- Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
- Renew Europe
- Greens/European Free Alliance
- European Conservatives and Reformists
- Identity and Democracy
- Non-attached Members
The European Parliament meets in two locations: Brussels and Strasbourg. The Parliament meets in Brussels for 12 weeks each year, and in Strasbourg for one week each month.
Conclusion
The European Parliament is a powerful legislative body that plays an important role in the European Union. It has the power to pass legislation, approve the annual budget, and exercise democratic control over the other EU institutions. It is composed of 705 MEPs, who are organised into political groups. The European Parliament meets in two locations: Brussels and Strasbourg.