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European ParliamentEdit

The European Parliament stands as the directly elected chamber of the European Union, charged with representing the citizens of 27 member states in the legislative process. Working alongside the Council of the European Union, it exercises key power over legislation, the budget, and the appointment of the Commission. Its work spans the internal market, trade, environment, justice, immigration, regional development, and beyond, and it operates from two principal capitals: the plenary sessions in Strasbourg and the committee and bureau work in Brussels. The Parliament’s powers have grown since the first direct elections in 1979, and its role is often cited as the centerpiece of democratic accountability within the EU framework. For more on the broader institutions it interacts with, see European Union and European Commission.

The Parliament’s authority rests on the ordinary legislative procedure, under which it shares lawmaking with the Council and can insist on amendments or even block legislation. This framework, strengthened by treaties such as the Treaty of Lisbon, makes the Parliament a co-equal partner in most areas of EU policy. In addition to making laws, the Parliament approves or rejects the appointment of the European Commission and exercises oversight through questions, inquiries, and the power to censure the Commission. It also plays a central role in the EU budget and in setting the direction of financial resources that affect member states and taxpayers alike. See Ordinary legislative procedure and Budget of the European Union for more detail.

History

The modern European Parliament traces its origins to the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, evolving into a directly elected body with substantial influence as the European Union expanded. The first direct elections in 1979 marked a turning point, giving citizens a tangible voice in Brussels and Strasbourg. Over subsequent decades, legislative powers expanded through successive treaties. The Single European Act helped bring about more streamlined decision-making; the Maastricht Treaty created the European Union and broadened the Parliament’s legislative reach; the Lisbon Treaty, implemented in 2009, elevated the Parliament's role by making the ordinary legislative procedure the norm across most policy areas and by enhancing budgetary oversight and democratic legitimacy. See 1979 European Parliament election, Treaty on European Union, and Treaty of Lisbon for context.

The post-Lisbon era has seen the Parliament increasingly assert itself on the big questions of growth, competitiveness, and the rule of law, while remaining sensitive to concerns about sovereignty and national democratic accountability. The years after the United Kingdom’s departure reshaped the Parliament’s size and composition, reinforcing the focus on a larger, more cohesive European policy agenda. See Brexit and European Parliament election for related developments.

Structure

Members

The Parliament is composed of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected to five-year terms. After the UK’s exit, the chamber has 705 MEPs representing the remaining 27 member states. MEPs sit not by country but in political groups that reflect shared policy approaches and values, forming the Parliament’s practical blocs rather than just national delegations. See Member of the European Parliament and European Parliament elections for more.

Political groups

MEPs sit in transnational groups that span national lines. The major groups include:

  • European People’s Party (EPP) — center-right, pro-market, and supportive of a strong, competitive EU frame that respects national sovereignty within shared rules.
  • Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) — center-left, with emphasis on social cohesion and fairer distribution of opportunities within the union.
  • Renew Europe — liberal and centrist, prioritizing open markets, innovation, and flexible governance that keeps national governments accountable.
  • Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) — environmental stewardship, citizen rights, and regional diversity.
  • Identity and Democracy (ID) — eurosceptic to nationalist-leaning groups seeking to recalibrate the balance between EU-wide norms and national prerogatives.
  • The Left in the European Parliament (GUE/NGL) — social-democratic to anti-austerity perspectives advocating for stronger social protections.
  • European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) — center-right, skeptical of deep integration in some domains and emphasizing reform and subsidiarity.

These groups form the Parliament’s political backbone and influence the legislative agenda, committee assignments, and leadership roles. See European political parties and European political party group for background.

Committees and governance

Legislation is crafted and scrutinized in committees such as the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Committee on International Trade (INTA), the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), and the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). Each committee drafts reports and amendments that feed into the Parliament’s readings of bills. Delegations maintain relations with parliaments outside the EU. See Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Committee on Foreign Affairs for examples.

Powers and functions

  • Lawmaking: Under the ordinary legislative procedure, the Parliament and the Council work as co-legislators on most policy areas, passing laws that affect the single market, consumer protections, environment, taxation, and more. See Ordinary legislative procedure.
  • Budget and finance: The Parliament shares budgetary authority with the Council, approves the EU budget, and can influence how funds are allocated to member states and programs. See Budget of the European Union.
  • Oversight: The Parliament holds the executive to account, has the power to approve or dismiss the European Commission, and can launch inquiries into EU administration or member-state actions that affect the Union’s values and functioning.
  • External relations and trade: The Parliament gives consent to many international agreements and trade deals, providing a direct link between EU diplomacy and citizen interests. See Common Commercial Policy and EU trade.

Debates and controversies

  • Democratic legitimacy and national sovereignty: Critics argue that, despite direct elections, the EU’s decision-making can feel remote to voters, with the Council and the Commission wielding substantial influence. Proponents counter that the Parliament’s direct elections and its capacity to reject or reform proposals ensure accountability and policy alignment with citizen interests across diverse member states. The balance between supranational governance and national prerogatives remains a central tension in EU politics, with subsidiarity often invoked by those who favor more national control over certain areas.

  • Subsidiarity and regulatory scope: A recurring debate centers on whether the EU should legislate to harmonize rules across markets or respect national differences. The Parliament tends to push for harmonization in areas like the internal market, consumer protection, and competition policy, while governments and some business groups urge limits to preserve local autonomy and avoid unnecessary red tape. See Subsidiarity.

  • Budgetary discipline and net balance: The distribution of EU funds, and the question of who pays what and who benefits most, fuels political debate. Proponents of prudent spending link EU resources to concrete growth, competitiveness, and reform, whereas critics stress national fiscal responsibility and accountability to taxpayers. See Multiannual Financial Framework and Own resources of the European Union.

  • Immigration, security, and rule of law: Foreign policy and internal security remain areas where member states seek to preserve sovereignty while the EU seeks unified standards. The Parliament has become more vocal on human rights, asylum policy, border management, and the rule of law, including discussions around how to condition EU funds on adherence to shared values. See Rule of law in the European Union.

  • Woke criticisms and policy debates: In some debates, the Parliament’s focus on social policy, equality, climate action, and cultural issues is framed by critics as overreach or as a preference for “politically correct” priorities. From a pragmatic, growth-oriented viewpoint, those critics often miss the bigger picture: a stable, rules-based EU framework can foster investment, innovation, and job creation while upholding basic rights. Supporters of market-friendly reform argue that the most consequential debates should center on economic competitiveness, governance efficiency, and the management of borders and trade, with social policy integrated in a way that doesn’t distort investment or economic opportunity. The point is not to dismiss rights and fairness, but to root policy in outcomes that voters can understand and hold accountable.

  • Plenary seat and costs: The Parliament’s practice of holding plenary sessions in Strasbourg, with committees meeting in Brussels, has long been a point of critique for efficiency and costs. Reforms aimed at streamlining operations and cutting unnecessary expenses are part of ongoing discussions about making EU governance more compact and focused without compromising democratic legitimacy. See Strasbourg, Brussels, and European Parliament governance.

See also