What is the European Parliament?

The European Parliament is the legislative body of the European Union, which consists of representatives elected by the member states. The Parliament works together with the Council of the European Union and approves EU legislation and the budget. The Parliament also oversees the Commission’s activities and participates in the development of the EU’s foreign and security policy.

The European Parliament consists of 705 members who represent EU member states. Members are elected in elections held every five years, where citizens can vote for their own representatives. The Parliament meets in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg.

Parliament has several committees that deal with different subject areas, such as the environment, economy and foreign relations. The Parliament also actively participates in the consultation of EU citizens and represents their interests in EU decision-making.

Sources: European Parliament