European Parliament

Definition and stakes

The European Parliament (EP) is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union, composed of 720 members (MEPs) representing approximately 375 million voters. As a co-legislator with the Council, it shapes EU laws, oversees the Commission, and approves the budget. Its transformation from a consultative assembly to a democratic institution reflects growing authority, including the power to censure the Commission and influence treaty negotiations.

Documents such as the Treaty on European Union and remarks by figures like Michael D. Higgins highlight its role as a link between citizens and EU governance, balancing national interests with collective decision-making. This duality defines its lasting significance in European political structure.

Quotes about “European Parliament”

Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union… (2009)

“ The European Parliament shall, jointly with the Council, exercise legislative and budgetary functions. It shall exercise functions of political control and consultation as laid down in the Treaties. It shall elect the President of the Commission.
2. The European Parliament shall be composed of representatives of the Union's citizens. They shall not exceed seven hundred and fifty in number, plus the President. Representation of citizens shall be degressively proportional, with a minimum threshold of six members per Member State. No Member State shall be allocated more than ninety-six seats. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Michael D. Higgins, Towards a European Union of the Citizens (2013)

“ I am conscious, in this year of the European Citizen, that as parliamentarians you are the elected component of the European Union, elected by citizens from your diverse electorates within the same few days. And I want to wish you well in all your deliberations together and with the other institutions of the Union, and particularly in your dialogue with your electorate – the citizens of Europe. They, the citizens, place their trust in Parliament when they vote and they rightly have expectations of parliaments responding to their needs. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Treaty of Lisbon — Article 2 - Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (2007)

“ In order to promote good governance and ensure the participation of civil society, the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies shall conduct their work as openly as possible. 2. The European Parliament shall meet in public, as shall the Council when considering and voting on a draft legislative act. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Consolidated protocols, annexes and declarations attached to the treaties of the European Union… (2007)

“ The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, and, where appropriate, the group of Member States, the Court of Justice, the European Central Bank or the European Investment Bank, if the draft legislative act originates from them, shall take account of the reasoned opinions issued by national Parliaments or by a chamber of a national Parliament.
Each national Parliament shall have two votes, shared out on the basis of the national Parliamentary system. In the case of a bicameral Parliamentary system, each of the two chambers shall have one vote. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe… (2004)

“ Where a provision of the Constitution which may be applied in the context of enhanced cooperation stipulates that the Council shall adopt European laws or framework laws under a special legislative procedure, the Council, acting unanimously in accordance with the arrangements laid down in Article I-44 (3) , may adopt a European decision stipulating that it will act under the ordinary legislative procedure. The Council shall act after consulting the European Parliament. ”

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Source: Wikisource

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