The European Parliament
The European Parliament of the European Union: A Comprehensive Study
Introduction
The European Parliament (EP) is one of the most vital institutions within the European Union (EU) and the only one whose members are directly elected by the citizens of the member states. As the democratic arm of the EU, the Parliament holds legislative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibilities. Its development has mirrored the evolution of the European Union itself—from an economic community to a political union. This discussion delves deeply into the structure, functions, powers, and role of the European Parliament within the broader EU institutional framework, assessing how it contributes to policymaking, democratic accountability, and European integration.
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Historical Background
Origins and Evolution
The European Parliament’s history began with the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1952. Originally called the Common Assembly, it was composed of national parliamentarians delegated by their governments. It had limited consultative powers.
With the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) in 1957 via the Treaty of Rome, the Parliamentary Assembly’s role was slightly expanded. In 1962, it was renamed the European Parliament, signaling a shift toward greater political legitimacy and autonomy.
The first direct elections to the European Parliament were held in 1979, a landmark event in European integration. These elections are now held every five years, offering over 400 million eligible citizens in the EU a chance to influence EU legislation directly.
Subsequent treaties—Single European Act (1986), Maastricht Treaty (1992), Amsterdam Treaty (1997), Nice Treaty (2001), and Lisbon Treaty (2007)—strengthened the European Parliament’s legislative and budgetary powers. Today, it stands as a co-legislator with the Council of the European Union, playing a central role in shaping the legal and policy landscape of the EU.
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Composition and Electoral Process
Membership
The European Parliament comprises 705 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), representing all 27 EU member states. Each member state's representation is broadly based on population, but smaller states are slightly overrepresented to maintain a balance between population size and equality among states.
Distribution of Seats
Germany: 96 seats (largest)
France: 79 seats
Italy: 76 seats
Spain: 59 seats
Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus: 6 seats each (minimum threshold)
The total number may be adjusted if new countries join or due to internal reforms.
Electoral System
Elections are conducted every five years using proportional representation. Although each country can adopt its own voting rules, they must adhere to general principles such as:
Proportional representation
Secret ballot
Equal voting rights
Citizens of the EU residing in another member state can vote or run as candidates in that country under certain conditions.
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Political Groups in the European Parliament
The European Parliament is organized not by nationality but by transnational political groups, which are coalitions of national parties with shared political ideologies.
Some of the major political groups include:
1. European People's Party (EPP) – Centre-right
2. Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) – Centre-left
3. Renew Europe (RE) – Liberal-centrist
4. Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) – Green politics
5. Identity and Democracy (ID) – Right-wing to far-right
6. European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) – Conservative Eurosceptics
7. The Left in the European Parliament (GUE/NGL) – Left-wing to far-left
8. Non-attached Members (NI) – Not part of any group
Each group must have at least 25 members from 7 member states to be officially recognized.
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Structure and Organization
Leadership
President of the European Parliament: Elected by MEPs for a renewable two-and-a-half-year term. The President oversees parliamentary activities, represents the EP externally, and ensures procedural order.
Vice-Presidents: 14 vice-presidents assist the President and may preside in their absence.
Bureau: Includes the President, Vice-Presidents, and five Quaestors (members responsible for administrative matters).
Committees
The Parliament works extensively through standing committees (20+ in total), which specialize in various policy areas:
Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)
Committee on International Trade (INTA)
Each committee prepares reports, amendments, and opinions which are debated and voted upon in plenary sessions.
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Legislative Powers
Ordinary Legislative Procedure (Codecision)
The primary legislative power of the Parliament lies in the Ordinary Legislative Procedure, also known as codecision, shared with the Council of the European Union. This applies to the majority of EU laws.
Key Features:
Commission proposes legislation
Parliament and Council amend and adopt the legislation together
If disagreements arise, a Conciliation Committee is formed
This ensures democratic legitimacy and oversight over EU legislation.
Consent and Consultation
In some areas, the Parliament's role is limited to giving consent (e.g., accession of new member states, international agreements) or being consulted (e.g., taxation, competition rules).
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Budgetary Powers
The Parliament, alongside the Council, shares responsibility for the EU budget:
Approves the annual budget
Exercises oversight through discharge procedures, evaluating how funds are spent
Can reject the entire budget (has happened once, in 1984)
The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which sets spending limits for several years, also requires Parliament's consent.
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Supervisory Functions
The European Parliament performs a crucial supervisory role over other EU institutions:
Scrutiny of the European Commission
Approves the President of the Commission
Holds hearings for Commissioners-designate
Can pass a motion of censure, forcing the Commission to resign (requires two-thirds majority)
Other Oversight Tools
Parliamentary questions to the Commission and Council
Debates and resolutions
Committees of Inquiry to investigate alleged violations of EU law
Role in Appointments
The Parliament has a say in the appointment of key figures:
Approves the President of the Commission
Consents to the College of Commissioners
Participates in the appointment of members of the Court of Auditors, ECB Board, Ombudsman, etc.
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Role in External Relations
The Parliament must approve international treaties and agreements, such as trade deals and cooperation pacts. It also plays a growing role in:
Human rights diplomacy
Election observation missions
Foreign policy debates (although actual foreign policy power lies mostly with the Council and High Representative)
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Relationship with Citizens
The European Parliament is often seen as the institution closest to EU citizens:
Directly elected
Petitions can be submitted by individuals or groups
Home to the European Ombudsman, who investigates maladministration
Regular dialogues and consultations with civil society organizations
Despite this, voter turnout remains a concern. It dropped consistently from 1979 to 2014 but showed a modest rise in 2019 elections (50.66%)—an encouraging sign for European democracy.
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Challenges and Criticism
Democratic Deficit
Critics argue that despite its increasing powers, the Parliament is still constrained:
Initiative monopoly lies with the European Commission—Parliament cannot independently propose legislation.
Influence in foreign and defense policy is limited.
The complexity of EU institutions can make parliamentary procedures appear opaque to the public.
Fragmentation and Polarization
With the rise of populist and Eurosceptic parties, the Parliament is more ideologically fragmented. This can lead to polarization and difficulty in achieving consensus.
Representation Issues
Smaller states are overrepresented
Gender balance is improving but not equal
Some argue that pan-European parties and transnational lists are needed to strengthen true European identity
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Contribution to European Integration
Despite its challenges, the European Parliament has significantly enhanced the democratic legitimacy of the EU. It has:
Played a key role in passing environmental, digital, and consumer protection laws
Strengthened transparency and accountability in policymaking
Promoted European values and human rights
Fostered cross-border political dialogue
By integrating diverse voices and reconciling national interests at a supranational level, the EP acts as both a forum for debate and a driver of integration.
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Future Prospects
The European Parliament is at a crossroads. Several proposals aim to reform and strengthen its role:
1. Right of legislative initiative – granting the EP authority to propose legislation directly
2. Transnational electoral lists – to foster a European rather than national campaign
3. Digital transformation – increasing transparency and digital participation
4. Deepening citizen engagement – through participatory platforms and civic education
5. Institutional reforms – including treaty amendments to rebalance power
These reforms could make the Parliament more effective and closer to citizens.
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Conclusion
The European Parliament stands as a symbol of democratic governance in a supranational setting. From a consultative assembly to a powerful co-legislator, its transformation mirrors the political maturity of the European Union. Despite criticisms regarding its limitations and effectiveness, the EP remains central to the EU’s democratic identity. In an age of global challenges—climate change, migration, digital transformation, and geopolitical instability—the European Parliament's role is more important than ever.
Through continual reform, citizen engagement, and bold legislative action, the Parliament has the potential to become not just the legislative engine of the EU, but also the beating heart of European democracy.
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