European Parliament Main Page (EUROPARL)
Organization of the Parliament (via Europa)
The European Parliament is the assembly of the representatives of the 370 million EU citizens. Since 1979 representatives have been elected by direct universal suffrage and today total 732, distributed among Member States in proportion to their population. The European Parliament’s main functions are as follows:
- It considers the Commission’s proposals and is associated with the Council in the legislative process, in some cases as co-legislator, by means of various procedures (codecision procedure, cooperation procedure, assent, advisory opinion, etc.).
- It has the power of control over the Union’s activities through its confirmation of the appointment of the Commission (and the right to censure it) and through the written and oral questions it can put to the Commission and the Council.
- It shares budgetary powers with the Council in voting on the annual budget, rendering it enforceable through the President of Parliament’s signature, and overseeing its implementation.
EUROPARL’s Official Documents of the European Parliament
The Legislative Observatory (OEIL) : OEIL provides summaries and current information on all proposals for legislation. Also contains information on the specific role of the Parliament.
Fact Sheets : The Directorate-General for Research’s overview of sectors of EU activity, including the work of the European Parliament.
Plenary Sessions : Provides searchable access to text of debates, minutes, reports, and other parliamentary activities.