european parliament

European Parliament Structure and Functions

  • The European Parliament (EP) is a crucial legislative branch within the European Union (EU), sharing powers with the Council of the EU.

  • It is a directly elected body, representing both citizens and governments of EU member states.

  • Current President: Roberta Metsola.

Functions of the European Parliament

  1. Legislative Function

    • The EU Parliament participates in the legislative process through the Ordinary Legislative Procedure, indicating shared law-making powers with the European Council.

    • The European Commission is responsible for proposing laws. The Parliament has the power to amend, approve, or reject these proposals alongside the Council.

    • This legislative function is applicable to most EU policies, with specific exceptions such as foreign policy and taxation.

  2. Budgetary Function

    • The European Parliament shares control of the budget with the Council of the EU.

    • It can amend, approve, or reject the annual budget, with the authority to have the final say on EU spending.

  3. Supervisory/Oversight Function

    • The Parliament is involved in overseeing the European Commission; it can approve or disapprove of the Commission as a whole through a vote of no confidence, requiring a two-thirds majority.

    • It oversees other EU institutions, has the power to set up inquiry committees, hold hearings, and monitor EU law enforcement.

  4. Electoral Process

    • Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected by citizens every five years using a system of proportional representation.

    • A total of 7,260 MEPs are distributed among EU member states using a method known as digressive proportionality, which allocates slightly more representatives per capita to smaller states.

Recent EU Election Trends (2024)

  • Notable shift in electoral results, exemplified by the rise of national parties in member states like France and Italy.

  • The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) gained 4 seats and emerged alongside other national parties such as the Patriots for Europe.

  • Environmental parties, often referred to as Greens, did not fare well and lost seats, highlighting a trend of fragmentation.

Political Party Composition in the European Parliament

  • Political Party Representation:

    • The Left: 316 seats (represented by left-wing/socialist groups).

    • Social-Democrat: 136 seats.

    • Green/European Free Alliance: 53 seats.

    • Renew Europe: 77 seats.

    • European People's Party (EPP) & Christian Democrats: 188 seats.

    • European Conservatives & Reformists (ECR): 78 seats.

    • Patriots for Europe: 84 seats.

    • Europe of Sovereign Nations: 25 seats.

    • Unattached Members: 33 seats.

  • Coalitions and Fragmentation:

    • The Grand Coalition in the Parliament mainly includes the EPP (leading party) and Social Democrats.

    • Fragmentation noted within the Parliament, as recent elections have shown a rise in the number of smaller parties and non-aligned members, influenced by various socio-political factors, including public discontent with main parties such as Macron's.

    • The number of groups with 50 to 80 MEPs has increased, indicating a rising fragmentation within the parliamentary structure.

    • Overall, these transformations and electoral dynamics indicate a shift towards smaller, issue-focused parties within the European political landscape, alongside growing discontent with established political entities.