In view of the forthcoming European elections (22–25 May 2014), the CVCE offers a selection of resources (synopses, photos and graphics) and oral accounts about the European Parliament from its establishment in 1952 to the present day. This wealth of resources is available in French and English. In this way, the CVCE hopes to help improve public awareness of the European Parliament and contribute to a greater understanding of the issues involved in the European elections.

The European Parliament is one of the seven institutions of the European Union. It directly represents EU citizens. Since Croatia joined the EU, the European Parliament has had 766 members. This number will be reduced to 750, plus the President, after the May 2014 elections. The powers of the European Parliament and the way in which it appoints its members have changed considerably during the period from the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (1951) to the Treaty of Lisbon (2007). The principle of electing Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage was adopted in September 1976 and applied in June 1979. This important change for the democratisation of the European integration process both prompted and underpinned a significant development in the European Parliament's powers and responsibilities. Once a mere consultative assembly, it has gradually become a legislative and budgetary authority on an equal footing with the Council, the institution that represents the Member State governments. It also exercises political supervision and is involved in the appointment of the EU's main political leaders. In 2014, for the first time, the candidate for President of the European Commission will be chosen by the European Council based on the results of the European elections and after consulting the various political groups represented in Parliament. But these positive developments do not hide the fact that various difficulties remain. In several key political areas, such as the common foreign and security policy and economic and monetary policy, the European Parliament plays a modest role that is purely one of accountability.

 

 

Further reading:

The European Parliament

The composition of the European Parliament

The election of Members of the European Parliament

Number and distribution of seats

Statute for Members

 

 Selected documents:

 
   
     
     
     

  

© Service départemental d'Archives de la Moselle, Parlement européen, Fritz Behrendt, Europa Grafica - Commission européenne Représentation au Luxembourg, CVCE, Union européenne

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