Presentation of the European Parliament, the European Union institution given the task of representing citizens. This video clip outlines, in particular, the legislative, consultative and supervisory powers of the European Parliament, taking examples of its role in the following areas: the euro, the environment, health, the enlargement of the Union and humanitarian aid.

Convention on certain institutions common to the European Communities annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community. Revised version.

Georges Spénale, President of the European Parliament from 1975 to 1977, outlines the evolution of this institution from its first meeting in 1952 until 1977.

Extract from a contribution by Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, to a joint publication produced by the European Commission in 2002 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). In his text, Mr Cox looks back on the institutional development of the ECSC Common Assembly, as precursor of the European Parliament, from its inception to the signing of the Rome Treaties in 1957.

First meeting of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community on 10 September 1952 with Paul-Henri Spaak in the chair.

On 10 September 1952, the Special Council of Ministers of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) decides to establish an Ad Hoc Assembly responsible for the drafting of a European Political Community (EPC) Treaty within a period of six months.

Le 21 février 1953, Paul-Henri Spaak adresse une lettre aux ministres des Affaires étrangères des États membres de la CECA leur annonçant la réunion de l'Assemblée ad hoc, le 6 mars 1953 à Strasbourg, afin d'examiner le projet de Constitution pour une Communauté européenne.

The first meeting of the European Parliamentary Assembly, on 19 March 1958 in Strasbourg, under the Presidency of Robert Schuman.

Le quotidien belge Vers l’Avenir relate le déroulement de la première séance de l’Assemblée parlementaire européenne, tenue le 19 mars 1958.

By Resolution of 20 March 1958, the single Assembly of the three European Communities decides to adopt the name ‘European Parliamentary Assembly'.

By Resolution of 30 March 1962, the European Parliamentary Assembly decides to adopt the name ‘European Parliament’.

Article from the Luxembourg daily newspaper Lëtzebuerger Journal of 28 January 1977, looking back over the institutional development of the European Parliament from its establishment to the adoption by the Council, on 20 September 1976, of the decision enabling the holding of the first election by direct universal suffrage. Until the elections, therefore, the European Parliament becomes a Parliament in transition. The article also explains the powers of the European Parliament as well as the situation of the political groups in July 1976.

From 17 to 20 July 1979, the first sitting of the European Parliament elected by direct universal suffrage takes place in Strasbourg, with Simone Veil as President.

On 10 July 1986, in Luxembourg, Simone Veil, Chairman of the Liberal and Democratic Reformist Group in the European Parliament from 1979 to 1982, gives an interview during which she outlines, in particular, the political role of Parliament and its special responsibility as the democratic representative of the peoples of the Communities.

The magazine EUROPE, published by the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, presents to its American readership the distinctive features of the European Parliament, in particular those concerning its composition, its operation and its powers and responsibilities.

Group photo of the European Parliament delegation to the European Convention taken at the constituent meeting of 29 January 2002. Seated in the middle of the front row is the Spaniard Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (EPP-ED), Chairman of the delegation.

Photograph taken at the ceremony held in Strasbourg on 25 September 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first session of the ECSC Common Assembly on 10 September 1952. From left to right: Sir Henry Plumb, former EP President, Pat Cox, current EP President, Pieter Dankert, former EP President, Klaus Hänsch, former EP President, Emilio Colombo, former EP President, and Egon Klepsch, former EP President.

À la veille des élections européennes de juin 2004 dans une Union élargie à 25 États membres, le quotidien français Libération témoigne de l’activité parlementaire dans le bâtiment du Parlement européen à Strasbourg afin de rapprocher le lecteur d’une institution méconnue.

In an interview given to the French daily newspaper Le Monde in May 2004, Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament since 15 January 2002, answers questions on the role of the institution and its ability to influence its Members.

Following the European elections held on 10 and 13 June 2004, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro considers the evolution of the increasing powers attributed to the European Parliament. At the same time, it reports on the budgetary repercussions that a Union enlarged to include 25 Member States has on the ‘huge machine’ that is the European Parliament.

In this interview, Jacques F. Poos, Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004, emphasises the fundamental role of Parliament in acting as the voice of the citizen in European politics and emphasises its innovative role in the European integration process.

On 12 March 2008, the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, gives an address in the Hemicycle in Strasbourg to mark the 50th anniversary of the constituent meeting of the European Parliamentary Assembly.

On 12 March 2008, in Strasbourg, the European Parliament celebrates the 50th anniversary of the constituent meeting of the European Parliamentary Assembly held on 19 March 1958. Those attending the meeting include the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, and the former Presidents Emilio Colombo, Lord Henry Plumb, Enrique Barón Crespo, Egon Klepsch, Klaus Hänsch, José Maria Gil Robles, Nicole Fontaine and Josep Borrell Fontelles.

Publication produced in 2008 by the European Parliament’s Archive and Documentation Centre (CARDOC) on the setting up of the European Parliamentary Assembly and its first activities from March to June 1958.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)), gives his views on the empowerment of the European Parliament, how the institution is perceived by the general public, elections to Parliament — particularly the low voter turnout — and its role and seat. He calls for a reform of elections to the European Parliament and for a single seat for the institution.

In view of the June 2009 elections, the Istituto Affari Internazionali invites Notre Europe and three other European think thanks to join forces to reflect on how to strengthen the links between citizens and European institutions. This study particularly focuses on the role of Parliament and European political parties in this process.

This video, dated 19 December 2013, presents the composition, organisation and operation of the European Parliament and its areas of responsibility.