Member of the European Parliament

Member of the European Parliament
Post	Member of the European Parliament
Body	the European Parliament
Insigniacaption	Emblem of the European Parliament
Termlength	Five years
Formation	1952 (Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community)
Website	[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/home europarl.europa.eu]

Member of the European Parliament. A Member of the European Parliament is an elected official who serves in the directly elected legislative body of the European Union. These representatives are tasked with debating, amending, and passing European Union law in conjunction with the Council of the European Union, while also exercising democratic oversight over other EU institutions like the European Commission. Their work directly impacts the lives of over 440 million citizens across the 27 member states.

Role and responsibilities

The primary role is to represent the interests of EU citizens in the European Union's legislative process. Key responsibilities include scrutinizing and amending legislative proposals from the European Commission, which often cover areas like the single market, environmental policy, and consumer protection. They also vote on the EU budget, a powerful tool for funding initiatives such as the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Fund. Furthermore, they exercise oversight by approving the appointment of the President of the European Commission and the full College of Commissioners, and can launch inquiries through committees like the Committee on Budgetary Control.

Election and term

Members are elected by direct universal suffrage every five years in elections held across all member states, governed by both national rules and common principles established by the European Council. The most recent election was the 2019 European Parliament election, which saw a significant increase in seats for the Greens–European Free Alliance. The Treaty of Lisbon sets a maximum of 751 members, with seats allocated according to the principle of degressive proportionality, meaning larger states like Germany and France have more representatives than smaller ones like Malta or Luxembourg. A full term lasts five years, and there are no term limits.

Powers and functions

Their powers are substantial and have grown through successive treaties. As co-legislators with the Council of the European Union, they shape legislation using the Ordinary legislative procedure on most policy areas. They have significant budgetary authority, jointly setting the EU budget with the Council and granting discharge for its implementation. Powers of oversight include the ability to question the European Commission and European Central Bank, and to establish committees of inquiry, such as those investigating the Panama Papers or the Dieselgate scandal. They also must consent to major international agreements like the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Political groups and organization

Members do not sit in national delegations but organize themselves into transnational political groups based on shared ideology. Major groups include the centre-right European People's Party Group, the centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, and the liberal Renew Europe. Those not affiliated with any group are known as Non-Inscrits. The Parliament is led by the President of the European Parliament, currently Roberta Metsola, and its work is prepared by specialized committees, such as the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Privileges and immunities

Members are granted certain privileges and immunities to ensure the independent performance of their duties, as outlined in the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union. These include immunity from legal proceedings for opinions expressed in their parliamentary duties, and from detention and prosecution while traveling to or from parliamentary meetings, similar to protections found in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This immunity can be waived by the Parliament itself, as was the case regarding investigations into Marine Le Pen. They also receive a standard salary and allowances for office and travel expenses.

History and development

The position originated with the 78-member Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community appointed in 1952. Direct elections were mandated by the founding treaties but first realized in 1979, a landmark event championed by figures like Altiero Spinelli. The Parliament's powers were initially consultative but expanded dramatically through the Single European Act, the Maastricht Treaty, and the Treaty of Lisbon, which established it as a powerful co-legislator. Key historical moments include the resignation of the Santer Commission in 1999 following pressure and the growing influence of eurosceptic groups like the Identity and Democracy group following the European migrant crisis.

Category:Members of the European Parliament Category:European Parliament