European Parliament

The European Parliament represents the citizens of the Member States at EU level. It is the only European institution to be directly elected - a procedure established in June 1979 - and the only multi-national parliament in the world to be voted in through universal suffrage.

• European Elections 2009 - Results
• European Elections 2009
• Decision-making in the European Union
• Powers of the European Parliament
• Treaties of the European Union

LATEST NEWS

Barroso team wins approval from Parliament — 09 February 2010, 23:21 CET

The European Parliament has given overwhelming approval to the new team of Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso who urged governments to step up the fight against the economic crisis.

Euro-MPs warned of 'security gap' if US data deal falls — 09 February 2010, 23:22 CET

The EU risks creating a "security gap" if the European Parliament rejects a deal allowing US justice authorities access to data from interbank transfers, a European diplomat warned Tuesday.

EU commission chief calls for closer EU economic cooperation — 09 February 2010, 11:12 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged EU nations Tuesday to cooperate more tightly in the face of the economic crisis.

Barroso's new EU Commission team to get green light, finally — 09 February 2010, 03:02 CET

EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso's new team is set to get the green light from the European parliament Tuesday, ending a three-month limbo period during the bloc's worst ever economic crisis.

EU ready to work with new Ukraine president — 08 February 2010, 19:27 CET

Europe is ready to work with Ukraine's new pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovich, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday, praising the "calm atmosphere" of the vote.

EU to send observers for Sudanese election — 04 February 2010, 19:12 CET

The European Union will send its biggest ever observer mission for Sudan's key elections in April, an EU foreign affairs spokesperson said Thursday.

Bulgaria's EU pick 'right for the job': MEPs — 04 February 2010, 00:05 CET

Bulgaria's EU commissioner designate, a second choice after the first withdrew, sailed through a parliamentary hearing Wednesday, paving the way for the whole team to assume their roles next week.

EU slams 'heavy-handed' Russian activist arrests — 01 February 2010, 16:02 CET

The European Parliament on Monday urged Moscow to stop its "heavy-handed" treatment of protesters, after riot police arrested scores of opposition activists at a rally in Moscow.

EU calls on Sri Lanka to probe reports of election irregularities — 29 January 2010, 15:42 CET

The European Union on Friday urged the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate reports of "irregularities" during the country's recent election and ensure the safety of his defeated opponent.

EU parliament calls on China to release dissident Liu Xiaobo — 21 January 2010, 15:02 CET

The European parliament called on Thursday for the immediate release of prominent jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, accusing Beijing of judicial harassment.

Euro-Parliament approves all vetted Commission nominees — 21 January 2010, 23:32 CET

Euro MPs voiced approval Thursday for 25 of the 26 would-be members of EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso's new team, with Bulgaria's replacement choice yet to be vetted.

Latvian government wins new bailout mandate — 22 January 2010, 00:15 CET

The government of crisis-hit Latvia won a new mandate Thursday for talks with international lenders, but a parliamentary revolt dented the fractious ruling coalition.

Bulgarian foreign minister resignation accepted: deputy premier — 20 January 2010, 07:57 CET

Bulgaria's ruling right-wing GERB party has accepted Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva resignation after she withdrew as the country's EU commission nominee, the deputy prime minister said Wednesday.

EU foreign affairs chief under fire for not visiting Haiti — 19 January 2010, 17:57 CET

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton came under fire from centre-right European lawmakers Tuesday for failing to rush to earthquake-ravaged Haiti shortly after the disaster.

Bulgaria names World Bank official as new EU candidate — 19 January 2010, 14:07 CET

Kristalina Georgieva, a World Bank vice president, was named as Bulgaria's new candidate for a top job at the EU Commission Tuesday, after the original nominee was forced to pull out.

Bulgarian foreign minister pulls out of race for EU job — 19 January 2010, 14:05 CET

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Rumiana Jeleva on Tuesday pulled out of the race for a top EU job after her candidacy sparked controversy, but the prime minister refused her offer to resign from cabinet.

Under-fire Commission nominee pulls out — 19 January 2010, 20:22 CET

Bulgaria's EU Commission nominee Rumiana Jeleva withdrew Tuesday amid allegations of incompetence and financial irregularities, disrupting the formation of the EU's new executive team.

Euro-MPs doubt competence of Bulgarian EU pick — 19 January 2010, 00:25 CET

A majority of MEPs has serious doubts about the competence of Bulgaria's Commission nominee Rumiana Jeleva, with only the centre-right group supporting her, parliamentary sources said on Monday.

Financial questions still hang over Bulgaria's EU candidate — 18 January 2010, 21:27 CET

The fate of Bulgaria's EU commission hopeful Rumiana Jeleva hung in the balance Monday after parliamentary legal experts failed to clear the air on allegations that she hid financial interests.

EU praises conduct of Ukraine polls — 18 January 2010, 16:17 CET

The European Union welcomed Monday the general good conduct of weekend presidential elections in Ukraine, and urged Kiev to ensure that the second round is just as peaceful.

New EU team at risk over Bulgarian nominee — 18 January 2010, 15:58 CET

The incoming Commission could suffer a major blow Monday if the European Parliament decides to block a Bulgarian nominee accused of incompetence and financial misreporting.

EU Parliament 'to clear new Bulgarian Commissioner' — 18 January 2010, 12:00 CET

Bulgaria's controversial candidate for new EU Aid Commissioner is set to be cleared Monday by the European Parliament of any doubts about her financial background.

Political battle over new Commission team — 17 January 2010, 23:06 CET

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso's proposed new team has come under some wounding fire during tough questioning at job interviews at the European Parliament, which are set to end Tuesday.

Barroso letter backs under-fire Bulgarian Commissioner-designate — 16 January 2010, 00:07 CET

EU commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso backed Friday Bulgaria's controversial nominee for Commissioner, saying she was qualified for the job and had provided assurances over her financial declarations.

Europe's climate chief-to-be regrets EU disunity in Copenhagen — 15 January 2010, 18:27 CET

Incoming EU commissioner for climate action, Denmark's Connie Hedegaard, on Friday criticised Europe's lack of a united voice at the fraught international talks on global warming in Copenhagen.