The European Parliament

The European Parliament is the parliamentary body of the European Union, directly elected by the 435 million EU citizens once every five years.  


Since 1979, the parliamentarians have been elected by direct universal suffrage and today total 732, distributed between Member States according to the size of their population.

The European Parliament cannot initiate legislation, but it can amend or veto it in many policy areas. In certain other policy areas, it has the right only to be consulted. Parliament also supervises the European Commission; it must approve all appointments to it, and can dismiss it with a vote of censure. It also has the right to control the EU budget.


Composition

Competences
  • 732 Members (MEP) gathered in 7 politcial groups
  • Parliamentary Committees
    • eg. committee on foreign affairs, sub committee on HR
  • Inter-parliamentary delegations
    • eg. Maghreb, Mashrek, Israel, Palestinian legislative council, Turkey
  • EP delegation to EuroMed Parliamentary Assembly
  • Co-legislative body on first pillar issues
  • Only advisory role in foreign affairs issues, except:
    • co-budgetary authority
    • assent for agreements with third countries
 

Instruments
  • Reports, resolutions, hearings, oral and written, questions, missions (elections)