European Parliament

The European Union’s directly elected legislative body, which shares lawmaking and budgetary powers with the Council of the European Union.

Ordinary legislative procedure: The EU procedure under which Parliament and the Council jointly adopt most legislation proposed by the European Commission. It is the main route through which Parliament shares lawmaking with the Council.
Treaty of Rome: The 1957 treaty that established the European Economic Community and its parliamentary assembly. The assembly created by this treaty was Parliament’s institutional predecessor.
European Parliament elections: Elections held every five years in which citizens of EU member states choose Members of the European Parliament. They determine the chamber’s political composition and its representative mandate.
Council of the European Union: The EU institution in which national government ministers negotiate and adopt legislation and budgets with Parliament. It shares legislative authority with Parliament but represents member-state governments.
European Union budget: The EU’s annual financial plan, adopted jointly by Parliament and the Council under treaty rules. Parliament negotiates and adopts the annual budget with the Council.
Direct elections to the European Parliament: The elections, first held in 1979, through which EU citizens directly choose Parliament’s members. Direct elections replaced national parliamentary appointment as the source of its mandate.
Members of the European Parliament: Elected representatives who debate, amend and vote on EU legislation and other parliamentary business. They exercise Parliament’s powers through committees, political groups and plenary votes.
European Council: The EU institution of national leaders that sets broad political priorities but does not legislate. Unlike Parliament, it represents heads of government and sets strategic direction rather than passing laws.
European Parliament committees: Standing groups of Members of the European Parliament that examine policy areas and prepare legislative work. Committees conduct much of Parliament’s detailed scrutiny and amendment work.
Single European Act: The 1986 treaty revision that expanded qualified-majority voting and strengthened Parliament’s legislative role. It gave Parliament greater influence over EU lawmaking.

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