European Parliament | Brussels

The European Parliament is one of the main legislative bodies of the European Union (EU), responsible for representing the citizens of the EU member states and passing laws that impact the entire Union. It is a key institution within the EU governance structure, playing an essential role in the democratic process and decision-making.

Overview and Role

• Function: The European Parliament (EP) shares legislative power with the Council of the European Union in most areas of EU policy-making. The Parliament debates and votes on proposed laws, scrutinizes the work of the European Commission, and ensures that EU institutions are accountable to the public.
• Members: The Parliament is composed of 705 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who are directly elected by EU citizens in general elections every five years. The number of MEPs per country is based on the population size of each member state, with larger countries having more representatives.
• Main Responsibilities:
  • Legislation: MEPs discuss, amend, and vote on proposals made by the European Commission, which is the executive body of the EU. The Parliament plays a vital role in shaping EU laws on issues such as trade, environmental policy, consumer protection, and human rights.
  • Budgetary Control: The European Parliament shares responsibility for approving the EU's budget, which determines the funding for various EU programs and policies.
  • Scrutiny and Accountability: The Parliament holds the European Commission and other EU institutions to account. It has the power to approve or reject the Commission’s work and to scrutinize its activities through parliamentary questions, committees, and investigations.
  • Foreign Policy and International Relations: The European Parliament also has a say in shaping the EU’s external relations, including international agreements and treaties with non-EU countries, and the Union's response to global challenges.

The Three Main Locations

The European Parliament has three main locations, each serving specific functions:

Strasbourg (France):

• Primary Location: The official seat of the European Parliament is in Strasbourg, where the Parliament holds 12 plenary sessions per year. The Parliament's main debates, votes, and discussions take place here.
• European Parliament Building: The Parliament’s building in Strasbourg, known as the Louise Weiss Building, is where the plenary sessions are held. This modernist structure is designed to accommodate the MEPs, provide spaces for committee work, and house the Parliament's administrative functions.

Brussels (Belgium):

• Administrative and Committee Work: The majority of the committee meetings and specialized sessions take place in Brussels. The city also hosts the European Parliament's Secretariat, which supports the legislative process and ensures smooth functioning.
• The Paul-Henri Spaak Building and the Altiero Spinelli Building are key buildings in Brussels that house various parliamentary committees, the President’s office, and MEP offices.

Luxembourg City (Luxembourg):

• Secretariat Services: The third location, Luxembourg, hosts the Parliament’s administrative support, including the Legal Service and Translation Service. It plays a smaller role in the daily activities of the European Parliament compared to Strasbourg and Brussels.

European Parliament Buildings

• Louise Weiss Building (Strasbourg): This is the main building in Strasbourg and the most iconic of the European Parliament’s locations. It features a large hemicycle (semi-circular chamber) where the plenary sessions are held. The building has modern facilities for the MEPs, such as offices, meeting rooms, and public galleries where visitors can watch debates.
• Paul-Henri Spaak Building (Brussels): This is a major building in Brussels used for committee work, with additional spaces for political groups and MEPs. The hemicycle is smaller than the one in Strasbourg and is used for informal and special sessions.
• Altiero Spinelli Building (Brussels): Another prominent building in Brussels that houses administrative offices, committee rooms, and services for MEPs.

Key Functions and Powers

Legislative Process:

• The European Parliament is part of the ordinary legislative procedure, which involves the European Commission proposing new laws, and then the Parliament and the Council of the European Union working together to amend, approve, or reject those proposals.
• The Parliament is involved in shaping laws related to a wide range of issues, from consumer protection to climate change, digital policy, and the rights of EU citizens.

Elections:

• MEPs are elected every five years through direct elections in each of the EU member states. The election process is based on proportional representation, ensuring that the number of seats each political party or group has in the European Parliament is roughly proportional to the number of votes it receives.
• The 2019 European Parliament elections marked the first time that more than 400 million citizens from 27 EU member states had the opportunity to vote for their MEPs.

Committees and Political Groups:

• The Parliament has several committees that handle specific issues (such as environmental policy, foreign affairs, trade, etc.), where MEPs debate, amend, and vote on proposed legislation.
• MEPs belong to political groups based on shared political ideologies (such as the European People’s Party or the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats). These groups play an important role in shaping the legislative agenda and negotiating laws.

Presidency:

• The President of the European Parliament is elected by MEPs and represents the Parliament in its external relations. The President’s role is to ensure the institution’s smooth functioning, maintain order during debates, and represent the Parliament in interactions with other EU institutions and the world.

Notable Powers of the European Parliament

• Co-decision on Legislation: In many policy areas, the Parliament has equal legislative power with the Council of the European Union. This gives it significant influence over decisions that affect EU citizens.
• Approval of the European Commission: The Parliament approves the European Commission’s president and commissioners. If the Parliament disapproves of the Commission’s work, it can dismiss the Commission as a whole through a vote of no confidence.
• Budgetary Powers: The Parliament shares responsibility with the Council for approving the EU budget, controlling how EU funds are allocated and ensuring financial transparency and accountability.

Visiting the European Parliament

The European Parliament is not only a political institution but also a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can explore the buildings, watch debates in the hemicycle, and participate in various programs to learn more about the EU and its processes.

• Parliamentarium: Located in Brussels, the Parliamentarium is the European Parliament's visitor center. It offers interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn about the institution's history, functions, and impact. The exhibition is available in several languages and offers insights into how EU legislation works.
• Plenary Sessions: Visitors can watch plenary sessions in Strasbourg and Brussels when the Parliament is in session, offering a chance to observe European democracy in action.

Conclusion

The European Parliament is a vital democratic institution that represents the citizens of the European Union and plays a central role in shaping EU policies and laws. It is located in multiple cities, with its primary seat in Strasbourg and its main administrative operations in Brussels. Through its legislative, budgetary, and oversight powers, the European Parliament influences a broad range of issues affecting the EU and its citizens, making it one of the most important bodies in European governance.