This is the third lesson of the macro topic “EU institutions, competences and functioning” in the first module.
The objective of this lesson, led by Francesca Berti, is to examine the functioning of the European Parliament.
Created in stages and shaped by decades of reforms, the European Parliament (EP) is the only directly elected body of the European Union — and one of the most powerful legislative assemblies in the world. Yet its evolution from a consultative chamber into a full-fledged co-legislator reveals a story of gradual democratization in a supranational context unlike any other.
From appointed assembly to direct elections
The EP began in 1952 as a Common Assembly of the ECSC, composed of delegates from national parliaments. It wasn’t until 1979 — after years of debate and negotiation — that the first direct elections by universal suffrage were held in all nine then-member states. Since then, elections have taken place every five years, but electoral laws still vary significantly between countries.
Today, the EP has 705 Members (MEPs), elected under proportional systems, with seats allocated according to degressive proportionality — ensuring smaller states are not underrepresented.
Powers and the fight against the “democratic deficit”
Initially limited to an advisory role, the EP’s powers were progressively strengthened as part of efforts to address Europe’s “democratic deficit” — the gap between expanding EU authority and limited democratic oversight.
Now, together with the Council of the European Union, the EP:
- Co-legislates under the ordinary legislative procedure
- Approves the EU budget
- Elects the President of the European Commission
- Approves or censures the Commission as a whole
- Exercises political scrutiny over all EU institutions and agencies
Under the Treaty of Lisbon (2009), the EP gained extensive co-decision powers, further cementing its role as a central actor in the EU decision-making process.
A multi-city Parliament — at a cost
- Strasbourg: Plenary sessions (12 times a year)
- Brussels: Committee meetings and additional sessions
- Luxembourg: Administrative Secretariat
This three-city set-up costs hundreds of millions of euros annually — and has long been criticized by MEPs and citizens alike in favor of a single seat.
How the EP organizes itself
The Parliament operates through:
- 20+ standing committees (e.g. foreign affairs, agriculture, legal affairs)
- Temporary or special committees for targeted investigations or priorities
- Political Groups organized by ideology, such as the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA, etc.
To gain formal recognition as a political group, a formation must include at least 25 MEPs from 7 Member States.
Groups influence:
- Committee leadership
- Allocation of speaking time
- Rapporteurships (lead negotiators on legislation)
- Internal financial and staffing resources
MEPs not affiliated with any group sit as “non-attached,” with limited influence.
Institutional connections and appointments
The EP plays a decisive role in the European executive branch:
- Elects the President of the Commission (proposed by the European Council)
- Approves each Commissioner, following individual hearings
- Can force the entire Commission to resign through a vote of censure
It also appoints the European Ombudsman, tasked with investigating complaints of maladministration within EU institutions.
With more power than ever before, the European Parliament remains at the forefront of the EU’s democratic evolution — yet still faces questions of visibility, efficiency, and connection with a diverse electorate spread across 27 Member States. Its future legitimacy may hinge not only on deeper competencies, but also on closing the widening gap between Brussels and its citizens.
