By Nina Cullen
What is the European Parliament?
The European Parliament (EP) is one of the main decision-making bodies of the European Union (EU) and the only one that is directly elected by its citizens. It represents people across the 27 EU member states and shapes laws that impact over 447 million people. The EP may seem complex, but it is essentially a place where elected representatives come together to debate, amend and vote on laws and policies that affect daily life across Europe.
A Brief History
The European Parliament’s roots trace back to the early 1950s, starting as a small assembly attached to the European Coal and Steel Community. Back then, it wasn’t called a “parliament” and didn’t have much power. The real transformation began in 1979 when citizens were allowed to directly elect members for the first time. Since then, it has evolved, gaining more influence through various treaties. What started as a modest advisory body has grown into a crucial player in EU lawmaking.
How is it organised?
The EP is made up of 720 Members of Parliament (MEPs) who are elected every five years. Each member state elects MEPs, roughly based on its population size. MEPs sit in political groups based on ideology rather than nationality. For example, the European People’s Party (EPP) brings together centre-right politicians from various countries, while the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) include left-leaning representatives.
MEPs work in committees focusing on specific areas like the environment, trade, or human rights. These committees draft reports, propose amendments, and prepare legislation before it’s debated by the full Parliament. Think of these groups as specialised teams making sure all details are considered before a law is passed.
What are the groups?
Elected MEPs can be members of national political parties or can be independent (non-attached MEPs). To form a group, you must have at least 23 members, representing at least one-quarter of the EU Member States. Political groups enjoy certain advantages: they play a crucial role in setting the Parliament’s agenda, are allocated more speaking time during debates, and have more funding. Below are the current political groups, in order of size from largest to smallest:
European People’s Party (EPP): A pro-European, centre-right and Christian democratic group founded in 1976. Their leader is Manfred Weber (Germany).
Socialists and Democrats (S&D): A pro-European, centre-left and social democrat group founded in 1973. Their leader is Iratxe García Pérez (Spain).
Patriots for Europe (PfE): A Eurosceptic, right-to-far-right-wing sovereigntist group founded in 2024. Their leader is Gerolf Annemans (VL).
European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR): A softly-Eurosceptic, centre-right to right-wing, anti-federalist group founded in 2009. Their leaders are Nicola Procaccini (IT) and Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (PL).
Renew Europe (RE): A pro-European, centre-to-centre-right, liberal group founded in 2019. Their leader is Valérie Hayer (FR).
European Greens/European Free Alliance: A pro-European, centre-left to left-wing green group founded in 1999. Their leaders are Bas Eickhout (NL) and Terry Reintke (DE).
The Left (GUE/NGL): A Eurosceptic, left-wing, anti-capitalist and democratic socialist group founded in 1995. Their leaders are Manon Aubry (FR) and Martin Schiredewan (DE).
Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN): A Eurosceptic, far-right, ultranationalist group founded in 2024. Their leaders are René Aust (DE) and Stanisław Tyszka (PL).
What are the EP’s powers?
While only the European Commission has the right of initiative, meaning only they can propose laws, the EP is deeply involved in the process.
1. Making Laws: The EP works with the Council of the European Union to pass legislation. Most EU laws are decided through a process called “co-decision,” meaning the EP and the Council must both agree on a proposal before it becomes law. For example, rules on consumer rights, digital privacy, or environmental protection all pass through this process.
2. Approving the Budget: The EU has a budget of around €186 billion a year, and the Parliament helps decide how that money gets spent, from regional development projects to scientific research.
3. Supervising Other EU Bodies: The EP has a say in who gets to lead the European Commission (the EU’s executive arm) and can dismiss the Commission if necessary. It also holds regular hearings and debates to make sure other institutions are doing their jobs correctly.
So how does a law get made?
- Proposal: The European Commission (the executive branch) proposes new laws.
- Review and Amendments: The EP and the Council review the proposal. MEPs discuss, suggest changes, and vote on them.
- Agreement: If both the EP and the Council agree, the proposal becomes law. If not, they negotiate until they find a compromise.
Challenges and Criticisms
The European Parliament isn’t without its controversies. Critics argue that it can feel disconnected from citizens or too complex to follow. There’s also talk of a “democratic deficit” because people often don’t understand how EU institutions work. The Parliament has been working to increase transparency and connect better with the public, but there’s always room for improvement.
Looking to the Future
The European Parliament is continually evolving. Some discussions are underway about giving it more power in certain areas, making EU laws even more efficient, or expanding the number of member states. The EP will keep playing a crucial role as the EU adapts to new challenges like climate change, technological shifts, and geopolitical tensions.
European Studies Review 