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. The 736 Members of the European Parliament are elected once every five years by voters right across the 27 Member States of the European Union on behalf of its 500 million citizens.

Parliament plays an active role in drafting legislation which has an impact on the daily lives of its citizens: For example, on environmental protection, consumer rights, equal opportunities, transport, and the free movement of workers, capital, services and goods. Parliament also has joint power with the Council over the annual budget of the European Union.

EP Standing Committees

Parliament has set up 20 standing committees to prepare work for plenary sittings. They are divided into sectors: foreign affairs, development, international trade, budgets, etc. and each has powers appropriate to its area of expertise. The committees are responsible for preparing Parliament’s plenary session work. Their task is to draw up reports on legislative proposals that have been referred to Parliament or on which Parliament has been consulted and on own-initiative reports.

• Committee on International Trade
• Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
• Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
• Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

FACT SHEETS

• 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

EU backs Arab-UN peacekeeping mission in Syria — 13 February 2012, 15:18 CET

The European Union backed on Monday an Arab League call for a UN peacekeeping mission in Syria and urged the UN Security Council to act in order to stop the violence there.

Ambassdors to complain over Dutch rightwing website — 13 February 2012, 12:29 CET

Ambassadors from 10 eastern European states are to send a protest letter to the Dutch parliament Monday in concern over a website by the country's extreme right, a Polish embassy spokesman said.

Myanmar promises EU to hold fair vote — 13 February 2012, 12:28 CET

Myanmar's military-backed government assured visiting top EU officials on Monday that upcoming by-elections heralding the opposition's return to mainstream politics will be democratic.

Greek conservative leader speaks for austerity plan — 13 February 2012, 00:09 CET

Conservative leader Antonio Samaras appealed to Greek deputies to back a fresh austerity plan aimed at staving off bankruptcy, as police battled protestors on the streets of the capital Sunday.

West stays off Syria warpath despite worsening violence — 12 February 2012, 13:38 CET

Despite the escalating violence in Syria, Western powers refuse to unleash a Libya-type operation against a regime backed by a much bigger army and powerful allies.

Russia's Putin too busy to meet election observers — 11 February 2012, 14:10 CET

A group of European vote monitors said Saturday they were denied a meeting with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin ahead of next month's presidential elections because of his busy schedule.

EU to tighten Syria economic sanctions end February — 11 February 2012, 12:20 CET

The European Union has reached an agreement in principle to tighten economic sanctions against Syria at the end of February to further cut funding for the regime.

EU accuses Syrian regime of 'atrocities' — 10 February 2012, 15:17 CET

The European Union Council's president on Friday accused Syria of committing "outrageous" atrocities against its citizens in a brutal crackdown on opponents of President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia must see 'reality' in Syria: EU's Ashton — 10 February 2012, 10:50 CET

Russia must confront "the reality" of the deadly crackdown in Syria, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said Thursday, after Moscow vetoed a UN resolution condemning the violence.

EU voices 'grave concerns' over Hungarian media laws — 09 February 2012, 17:05 CET

The Commission voiced "grave concerns" over Hungary's controversial media laws Thursday, warning the threat of big fines for breaking the rules can lead to self-censorship.

EU aid official to visit Myanmar ahead of 'crucial' polls — 09 February 2012, 14:42 CET

Myanmar's upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain "fragile," the EU's foreign aid chief told AFP ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros in aid.

Hungary opposition radio gets 60-day stay of execution — 08 February 2012, 17:29 CET

Hungary's sole nationwide opposition station Klubradio, which recently lost its licence, on Wednesday said it had been granted a 60-day extension pending a court review.

EU mulls Syria flight ban, plans for possible evacuations — 08 February 2012, 13:57 CET

The European Union is making contingency plans in case it needs to evacuate EU citizens from Syria and is mulling a ban on flights into and out of the country, senior officials said Wednesday.

Iran MPs take no action on EU oil embargo, go into recess — 08 February 2012, 13:55 CET

Iranian lawmakers on Wednesday went into a near month-long recess without taking any action on a threat to impose a pre-emptive oil embargo on European Union countries.

Greek debt plan put to coalition partners — 08 February 2012, 11:01 CET

A finalised plan on new Greek aid that was hammered out with the European Union and IMF has been handed to partners in the governing coalition, a conservative party source said on Wednesday.

EU's Ashton worried about Maldives — 08 February 2012, 11:00 CET

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton expressed "deep concern" Wednesday after former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed told AFP he had been forced to resign in a coup.

EU eyes new Syria sanctions as nations recall ambassadors — 07 February 2012, 18:59 CET

Europe stepped up pressure on Syria on Tuesday as several nations recalled their ambassadors from Damascus and the EU considered new sanctions to cut the regime's access to cash.

Sanctions 'won't affect Iran's nuclear policy' — 07 February 2012, 14:55 CET

New Western sanctions will fail to force Iran to give up its nuclear "rights," a foreign ministry official said on Tuesday, a day after the United States unveiled more measures against Iran's central bank.

EU has no plans to recall envoy in Syria — 07 February 2012, 13:35 CET

The European Union has no plans to withdraw its head of delegation from Syria, a spokesman said Tuesday, stressing that the EU needs a presence there to "report and observe".

EU diplomat, Brazil back Arab League role on Syria — 07 February 2012, 12:21 CET

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton and Brazilian foreign minister Antonio Patriota on Monday underscored their support for the Arab League effort to end violence in Syria.

Greece lacks unity as debt talks peak: finance minister — 07 February 2012, 12:21 CET

Greece's finance minister Monday blamed political parties for failing to reach consensus on debt negotiations with EU-IMF creditors as a deadline to avert default fast approached.

EU vows aid to 'non-violent' Palestinian government — 06 February 2012, 19:14 CET

The European Union will provide financial aid to a new Palestinian government as long as it is peaceful and accepts Israel's right to exist, an EU spokesman said Monday after a deal between rival factions Fatah and Hamas.

Greek coalition debt deal meeting 'very probably' Tuesday — 06 February 2012, 16:43 CET

Greek political leaders will "very probably" meet on Tuesday to decide whether to approve new austerity measures demanded by the country's public creditors for new loans, a government source said on Monday.

Romanian prime minister resigns to 'defuse' strain: official — 06 February 2012, 13:29 CET

Romania's centre-right Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned on Monday amid public anger at austerity measures and despite praise from the IMF and the EU for piloting drastic economic reforms.

Flagship EU gas pipeline project near collapse: analysts — 05 February 2012, 11:35 CET

Europe's flagship project to bolster its energy security by building a major gas pipeline to the Caspian that skirts Russia is near collapse, with a newly confident Turkey playing a key role.