IGNOUMATIC

The European Parliament (EP) is one of the key institutions of the European Union (EU), playing a critical role in the legislative, budgetary, and supervisory functions of the Union. As the directly elected body of the EU, the Parliament represents the interests of its citizens, thereby enhancing the democratic legitimacy of EU decision-making. Over time, the Parliament’s powers have expanded significantly, particularly since the Single European Act (1986) and the Maastricht Treaty (1992), enabling it to play an increasingly important role in shaping EU policies and legislation.

1. Composition of the European Parliament

The European Parliament is composed of ** Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)**, who are directly elected by the citizens of the EU Member States. The number of MEPs allocated to each Member State is based on the principle of degressive proportionality, meaning that smaller countries have more MEPs per capita than larger countries. As of the latest allocation, the Parliament comprises 705 MEPs, following the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020.

• Elections: MEPs are elected every five years through universal suffrage using proportional representation. The voting systems vary between Member States, but the key principle is to ensure that the seats reflect the voting population of each country.
• Political Groups: MEPs are grouped into political factions based on shared ideological beliefs, rather than by nationality. The largest groups include the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and the Renew Europe (RE) group, with smaller groups representing different political ideologies such as greens, eurosceptics, and far-right or far-left parties.
• Presidency and Bureau: The European Parliament is presided over by a President, elected by MEPs for a two-and-a-half-year term. The President’s role is largely procedural, overseeing the work of the Parliament, ensuring the proper conduct of debates, and representing the Parliament externally. Alongside the President, the Bureau is made up of Vice-Presidents and Quaestors, who assist with the administrative and organizational duties of the Parliament.

2. Functions of the European Parliament

The European Parliament performs a variety of functions, with legislative, budgetary, and oversight roles. Its functions have evolved significantly over time, particularly with the introduction of the Ordinary Legislative Procedure (formerly known as co-decision) under the Treaty of Lisbon (2007), which enhanced Parliament’s legislative powers.

2.1 Legislative Function

The European Parliament plays a significant role in the EU’s legislative process, particularly through its involvement in the Ordinary Legislative Procedure (OLP), which is the primary legislative process of the EU. Under this procedure, the Parliament shares legislative power equally with the Council of the European Union.

• Proposals and Amendments: The European Commission, which is responsible for proposing new legislation, submits legislative proposals to both the Parliament and the Council. Once a proposal is made, the Parliament debates, scrutinizes, and may amend it. If the Council and Parliament disagree on a proposed law, it can go through several readings and negotiations before reaching a final agreement.
• Type of Legislation: The Parliament is involved in primary legislation (treaties) and secondary legislation (regulations, directives, decisions). While it does not have the power to initiate treaties, it must approve any amendments to the EU’s founding treaties or accession of new member states.

2.2 Budgetary Function

The European Parliament holds significant powers in the EU’s budgetary process. It shares authority over the annual EU budget with the Council of the EU, approving or rejecting the budget proposed by the European Commission.

• Control over Spending: While the Council and Commission propose the budget, Parliament can scrutinize and amend spending allocations. In cases of disagreement between Parliament and the Council, the Parliament has the final say over the budget.
• Political Influence: Through its control over the budget, the Parliament exercises political influence over various EU programs and priorities, including funding for research, infrastructure projects, and regional development. This gives the Parliament an important role in determining the EU’s policy agenda.

2.3 Supervisory Function

The European Parliament also exercises oversight of the other EU institutions, especially the European Commission. It ensures that the Commission carries out its duties in accordance with EU law and that EU legislation is implemented properly by member states.

• European Commission Oversight: Parliament has the authority to approve or dismiss the President of the European Commission and the entire Commission. It can also hold the Commission accountable through regular question times, during which Commissioners answer questions posed by MEPs.
• Transparency and Accountability: The Parliament promotes transparency and accountability by scrutinizing the activities of all EU institutions. It also holds hearings for appointments to key positions within the EU, such as the President of the European Central Bank and other senior roles in the Commission.

3. Role of the European Parliament

The role of the European Parliament has evolved as the EU itself has developed, especially as integration deepened and EU governance became more complex.

3.1 Strengthening Democratic Legitimacy

The European Parliament represents the democratic will of EU citizens. As the only directly elected body in the EU, the Parliament plays a vital role in ensuring that EU governance reflects the political preferences and interests of the population. It also acts as a bridge between EU institutions and national governments by enabling citizens to engage in the legislative process.

3.2 Promoting EU Identity and Unity

The Parliament fosters a sense of European identity, as it brings together individuals from various cultural and political backgrounds across the Union. By holding public debates and discussions on EU policies, it promotes cross-national dialogue and encourages citizens to take an active interest in European affairs.

3.3 Influencing EU Policy and International Affairs

Through its legislative and budgetary functions, the European Parliament influences key policy areas such as trade, foreign relations, and environmental protection. The Parliament also plays a role in shaping the EU’s stance on international agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement and trade negotiations with other global powers.

4. Conclusion

The European Parliament is a cornerstone of EU governance, with substantial powers in legislation, budgeting, and oversight. Its composition, based on proportional representation, reflects the diversity of the EU population, while its functions have evolved to make it a central player in the EU’s decision-making process. As the Union continues to grow and face new challenges, the European Parliament’s role is likely to expand further, enhancing its ability to act as a representative and accountable institution within the EU framework.