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

Euro-MPs opt for clearer food labelling rules — 17 March 2010, 13:21 CET

The European Parliament's Environment Committee on Tuesday approved draft legislation on clearer and more informative new food labelling rules which require new information on energy content and nutritional value.

EU's Ashton to be urged to lodge formal Iraq vote protest — 12 March 2010, 16:22 CET

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton will next week be urged to lodge a formal protest over "widespread fraud" during the Iraqi election count.

Iraq PM in tight contest with ex-premier for poll lead — 11 March 2010, 20:57 CET

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was in a tight contest to keep his job as he vied with ex-premier Iyad Allawi, initial election results from four of the country's 18 provinces showed Thursday.

Euro-MP accuses Iran of rigging Iraqi vote — 11 March 2010, 21:55 CET

The point-man for European Parliament relations with Iraq accused on Thursday top Iraqi electoral commission figures of rigging the election at Iran's behest.

MEPs back fresh EU money for low-carbon technologies — 11 March 2010, 23:52 CET

Euro-MPs have approved fresh EU funding for the development of innovative low-carbon technologies to help cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020.

EU energy rules still not being implemented: report — 11 March 2010, 22:57 CET

EU Member States are lagging behind in the implementation of the internal energy market rules, reveals the Commission’s 2009 Benchmarking Report published today.

EU observers say confident of monitoring Sudan elections — 11 March 2010, 17:10 CET

European Union election observers in Sudan said on Thursday they are confident of being able to detect any irregularities in next month's multiparty polls, the country's first since 1986.

Euro-Parliament urges tax on financial operations — 10 March 2010, 22:51 CET

The European Parliament on Wednesday called for a worldwide tax on financial transactions that would help pay for the economic crisis and could aid the fight against global warming.

Parliament wants to reduce red tape for small firms — 11 March 2010, 16:35 CET

Very small companies could be exempted from having to draw up annual accounts, following approval by the European Parliament of changes to EU accounting rules. Voting in the 10 March plenary, MEPs said it would be up to each Member State to grant such exemptions, depending on the impact the directive would have in that country. Companies would in any case still have to keep records of their business transactions and financial situation.

Greens protest genetically modified potato go-ahead — 10 March 2010, 00:17 CET

Green members of the European Parliament stood en masse and held up placards Tuesday in protest against the Commission's approval of the cultivation of genetically modified potatoes.

"Internal market test" needed for new EU legislation, say MEPs — 10 March 2010, 18:21 CET

The EU's internal market was put under scrutiny today, 9 March, when Members of the European Parliament debated a series of reports in their plenary session in Strasbourg. They concluded that there is no conflict between consumer rights and an economically efficient single market: they reinforce each other. This is the key message of three resolutions approved by Parliament that look at EU law on consumer protection, the internal market and the SOLVIT system for settling consumer disputes.

Euro-MPs urge EU rethink on competition policy — 11 March 2010, 23:50 CET

A resolution adopted by the EP today, 9 March, highlights the need to assess the effectiveness of Member States' state-aid activities during the crisis, scale back the protectionist reflexes that it triggered and update EU competition rules, inter alia by revisiting the "fines only" policy. The EP lists on-line advertising, and the telecoms, pharmaceuticals and dairy sectors as areas needing further action.

Consumer protection under discussion by MEPS — 08 March 2010, 23:12 CET

The EU's internal market will be under scrutiny on Tuesday, 9 March, when a series of reports will be debated by MEPs in Strasbourg. Among the issues being discussed will be ways of resolving disputes without legal action and improving people's knowledge of the options open to them. The debate will be held Tuesday from 0900 CET and can be followed live online.

EU hails courage of Iraqi voters — 07 March 2010, 17:42 CET

The European Union's foreign policy supremo Catherine Ashton hailed the Iraqi people for defying bomb, mortar and rocket attacks to vote in elections on Sunday.

French politician brings Paris glamour to Iraq vote — 06 March 2010, 18:32 CET

Rachida Dati, the first Muslim woman to hold a top job in the French government, brought a touch of Parisian glamour on Saturday to Iraq's elections with a stroll along the Tigris river in Baghdad.

'Battle' on GM foods can't be won: EP president — 03 March 2010, 23:48 CET

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said on Wednesday he was against genetically-modified foods but said they were an unavoidable part of the future.

British MEP fined for EU chief 'damp rag' insult — 02 March 2010, 23:22 CET

The European Parliament has fined a British Euro-MP on Tuesday for calling the EU's new president Herman Van Rompuy a "damp rag" in a rant in the chamber.

European Socialists call for fund to save Greece from speculators — 02 March 2010, 17:32 CET

European Socialists on Tuesday called for the creation of a fund, managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), to help Greece and others ward off speculators as they tackle budget crises.

English MEP summoned to explain anti-Van Rompuy rant — 26 February 2010, 22:52 CET

English far-right lawmaker Nigel Farage faces a reprimand from the head of the European parliament next week for calling EU president Herman Van Rompuy a "damp rag" and describing Belgium as a "non-country."

EU president branded 'damp rag' — 24 February 2010, 18:11 CET

EU president Herman Van Rompuy got a rude reception when he appeared before the European parliament for the first time on Wednesday, when British eurosceptic Nigel Farage called him a "damp rag" nobody.

Uganda behind schedule for fair elections in 2011: EU — 24 February 2010, 23:06 CET

Uganda has not yet done enough to ensure that its 2011 general elections will be free and fair, the European Union's ambassador to the east African nation told AFP on Wednesday.

Euro-MPs vote for 20 weeks paid maternity — 24 February 2010, 11:10 CET

Members of the European Parliament voted on Tuesday to massively extend full maternity pay to 20 weeks across the European Union and grant paid paternity leave of a fortnight for all.

EU mulling sending observers for Ethiopia polls — 18 February 2010, 18:12 CET

The European Union is considering sending observers to monitor Ethiopia's elections in May, its delegation in Addis Ababa said Thursday.

Greek socialists demand debt statistics inquiry — 17 February 2010, 19:47 CET

Greece's ruling socialists Wednesday demanded for a parliamentary commission to be set up to probe statistical failings by the previous government that had hidden the extent of the country's debt.

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection — 17 February 2010, 13:20 CET

Responsibilities, contacts and latest studies of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection