06/06/2024 – 11:54
New representatives of the 27 member countries of the European Union are being elected until next Sunday, in the second largest vote among democratic countries, behind only India. The European Parliament is the only body of the European Union whose representatives are elected by direct vote. With headquarters in Strasbourg and Brussels, it represents the interests of around 450 million citizens of the bloc’s 27 member countries – an electorate that makes voting the second largest among democratic countries, behind only India.
How is the European Parliament formed?
Elections to the European Parliament have been held every five years since 1979. In 2024, 720 members will be elected, making it the largest parliament in the world after the Bundestag. The division of seats, however, is not proportional to the population of each country: while a German MEP represents around 850 thousand people, an MEP from Malta represents only around 70 thousand.
MEPs are organized supranationally into benches according to specific ideologies and political objectives. Currently, the largest group is the conservative Christian Democrats, with 176 members; Right behind are the Social Democrats, with 144 members, and the Liberals, with 102 seats. There are also greens (71), ultra-rightists (64), nationalist conservatives (64) and leftists (38).
What does the European Parliament do?
Approval of laws: the European Parliament considers laws proposed by the Council of the European Union for all 27 member states. Parliament can also approve, modify or reject laws that come from the European Commission, the EU’s executive body.
Budgetary control: Parliament decides on the EU Budget, together with the Council, and oversees the execution of planned spending, so that the bloc’s money is used efficiently and transparently. The body, however, does not have the power to create new taxes.
Democratic control: Parliament supervises other European institutions, especially the European Commission, and can demand explanations from its representatives or also force them to resign as part of a motion of censure.
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