European Parliament (EP)

European Parliament (EP)
Name	European Parliament
Native name	Parlement européen
Founded	1952 (Common Assembly), 1979 (direct elections)
Type	Supranational legislature
Seats	720 (varies)
Meeting place	Strasbourg, Brussels, Luxembourg
President	Roberta Metsola
Voting system	Proportional representation

European Parliament (EP) The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union, meeting in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg City. It traces origins to the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, developed through treaties such as the Treaty of Rome, the Single European Act, the Maastricht Treaty, and the Lisbon Treaty. The Parliament shares legislative and budgetary authority with the Council of the European Union and influences appointments involving the European Commission, the European Council, and the European Central Bank.

History

The institution evolved from the Common Assembly created by the Treaty of Paris (1951) and expanded under the Treaty of Rome (1957), with first direct elections in 1979 following reform efforts led by figures associated with Konrad Adenauer, Jean Monnet, and Robert Schuman. Subsequent treaty milestones—Single European Act (1986), Maastricht Treaty (1992), Amsterdam Treaty (1997), Nice Treaty (2001), and the Lisbon Treaty (2007)—progressively increased powers vis‑à‑vis the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. Key episodes include the 1999 Commission resignation linked to the Santer Commission controversy and the 2014 and 2019 expansions addressing European Parliament election, 2014 and European Parliament election, 2019 dynamics amid debates over Brexit and enlargement to include nations from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership.

Role and powers

The Parliament exercises legislative powers under the ordinary legislative procedure established by the Treaty of Lisbon, sharing competence with the Council of the European Union and influencing the European Commission through approval, confirmation hearings, and potential motions of censure as seen against the Santer Commission. It has budgetary authority alongside the Council of the European Union and plays a role in supervising agencies such as the European Medicines Agency and institutions like the European Central Bank. The Parliament’s assent is required for international agreements such as those involving the World Trade Organization, European Economic Area, and trade deals with partners like the United States and Canada (e.g., Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement discussions).

Composition and elections

Members are elected by proportional representation systems in member states including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland, with smaller delegations from states like Malta and Luxembourg City. Seats have been reallocated following enlargements involving Spain and Portugal (1986), the 1995 enlargement, the 2004 enlargement, the 2007 enlargement, and the 2013 enlargement. The Parliament’s Presidency, elected by Members, has included figures such as Nicole Fontaine, José Manuel Barroso (as Commission President), and currently Roberta Metsola. Elections have reflected pan-European movements including influence from European Greens–European Free Alliance, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, and the European People's Party.

Political groups and parties

Members organize into transnational political groups such as the European People's Party, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe, European Conservatives and Reformists, Identity and Democracy, and the Greens–European Free Alliance. National parties like Christian Democratic Union (Germany), Socialist Party (France), Liberal Democrats (UK) (historical), Law and Justice (Poland), and Fidesz affiliate with these groups. Group formation rules, funding, and rights are governed by Parliament regulations and have shaped coalitions that affect leadership elections, committee chairs, and legislative priorities influenced by blocs like the European Green Deal proponents and supporters of fiscal compact policies.

Legislative process and procedures

Under the ordinary legislative procedure, proposals originate from the European Commission and are considered by Parliament and the Council of the European Union, with readings, amendments, and potential conciliation via a Conciliation Committee. Committees draft reports and opinions before plenary votes in Strasbourg or Brussels, employing procedures such as urgent procedures and consent or consultation depending on Treaty basis (e.g., Article 218 TFEU). Parliamentary questions, interpellations, and hearings provide oversight of Commissioners nominated under protocols related to the European Council and national governments like Germany and France.

Committees and delegation

Permanent committees (e.g., Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Budgets, Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs) prepare legislation and conduct hearings with Commissioners and external actors such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Parliament maintains delegations for relations with bodies including the United States Congress, the Parliament of the United Kingdom (post‑Brexit relations), the Assembly of the Western European Union (historical), and parliaments of candidate countries like Turkey and North Macedonia. Special committees and temporary committees investigate issues such as data protection debates involving GDPR and inquiries linked to crises like the Greek government-debt crisis.

Transparency, accountability, and public engagement

The Parliament pursues transparency through published plenary agendas, voting records, and declarations of financial interests, with initiatives linked to the European Ombudsman and regulations influenced by cases involving Transparency International advocacy. Public engagement includes citizens’ initiatives under the Treaty of Lisbon, town‑hall events with Commissioners and MEPs, and outreach via institutions such as the European Citizens' Initiative portal and educational programs with entities like the European University Institute and national parliaments (e.g., Bundestag, Assemblée nationale). Oversight mechanisms include ethics rules, investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office, and scrutiny tied to accession negotiations with candidate countries.

Category:Institutions of the European Union