The European Parliament (EP) is one of the key institutions of the European Union (EU) and plays a critical role in the governance, law-making, and democratic oversight of the Union.
Get the full solved assignment PDF of MPSE-011 of 2024-25 session now by clicking on above button.
It represents the citizens of the EU member states and is the only directly elected body within the EU’s institutional framework. Let’s analyze the constitution, role, and functions of the European Parliament in detail:
1. Constitution of the European Parliament:
The European Parliament’s structure and functioning are primarily defined by the following key elements:
Composition:
- Members of the European Parliament (MEPs): The Parliament consists of 705 MEPs, who are directly elected by the citizens of the EU member states through proportional representation in national elections. The number of MEPs per country is roughly proportional to the population size of each member state, but smaller countries have slightly more representation per capita.
- Term of Office: MEPs serve a term of 5 years, with elections held every five years. The last election was in May 2019.
- Political Groups: MEPs are organized into political groups based on their ideological affiliations rather than nationalities. The largest political groups include the European People’s Party (EPP), Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Renew Europe (RE), and the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA).
Presidency and Bureau:
- The European Parliament is led by a President, elected by MEPs for a two-and-a-half-year term, who represents the EP externally and ensures that parliamentary procedures are followed. The President plays a crucial role in moderating debates and overseeing the institution’s activities.
- A Bureau consisting of the President and 14 vice-presidents manages the Parliament’s internal workings, including organizing the agenda and supervising its committees.
Committees:
- The Parliament operates through committees, each specializing in specific policy areas such as foreign affairs, environment, trade, and economic and monetary affairs. Committees are composed of MEPs and play a crucial role in preparing and amending legislation before it is brought to the full Parliament for debate and vote.
2. Role of the European Parliament:
The European Parliament has a complex and multi-faceted role within the EU’s decision-making process. Its main functions include:
Legislative Role:
- The European Parliament shares legislative power with the Council of the European Union under the ordinary legislative procedure (formerly the co-decision procedure). This means that, in most policy areas, legislation must be agreed upon by both the Parliament and the Council before it can become law. The Parliament can propose amendments, reject, or approve legislation, and in some cases, initiate laws alongside the European Commission.
- It works with the European Commission (which proposes laws) and the Council of the EU (which represents member states’ governments) in shaping and passing laws that impact various aspects of the EU, including trade, environment, security, and internal markets.
Budgetary Power:
- The European Parliament shares the power to approve the EU’s budget with the Council of the European Union. It can amend or approve the budget proposed by the European Commission. The budgetary power of Parliament gives it significant influence over EU spending in areas such as agriculture, research, and foreign policy.
- The Parliament has the final say on the budget, which must be approved by a majority of MEPs.
Supervisory and Accountability Role:
- The European Parliament plays a critical oversight function over the other EU institutions, particularly the European Commission. It approves the appointment of the President of the European Commission and the European Commissioners. It can also dismiss the Commission through a vote of no confidence.
- Parliament holds hearings, conducts inquiries, and scrutinizes EU policies and decisions. It can ask questions to the Commission and the Council, and its committees often investigate issues such as human rights violations, corruption, and environmental concerns.
Democratic Legitimacy and Representation:
- The European Parliament ensures democratic legitimacy within the EU’s institutional framework. As the only directly elected body in the EU, it represents the citizens of the Union and serves as a check on the power of the EU’s executive bodies (the Commission and the Council of the EU). It ensures that the voices of European citizens are heard in the decision-making process and holds other EU institutions accountable.
3. Functions of the European Parliament:
The European Parliament performs several important functions in the EU governance system, including legislative, budgetary, supervisory, and representative functions.
Legislative Function:
- Co-decision: Under the ordinary legislative procedure, the Parliament shares the responsibility for passing laws with the Council of the EU. It can propose amendments, negotiate with the Council, and vote on legislative proposals put forward by the Commission.
- Influence on Policy Areas: The European Parliament has significant influence on legislation in areas such as consumer protection, environmental regulations, trade, human rights, and digital privacy. It plays a vital role in ensuring that EU laws are aligned with democratic principles and the public interest.
Budgetary Function:
- Approval of the Budget: The European Parliament has the power to approve or reject the EU’s budget, which covers a wide range of policies, including agriculture, regional development, and external affairs. Parliament ensures that the budget is used efficiently and effectively to address the needs of EU citizens.
- Control over Expenditure: Through its budgetary powers, the Parliament monitors the EU’s financial priorities, helping to ensure that funds are allocated transparently and equitably across different EU programs.
Supervisory Function:
- Oversight of the Commission: Parliament has the authority to oversee the European Commission’s work, ensuring that the Commission fulfills its role in implementing EU policies and legislation. Parliament also has the power to remove the Commission from office through a vote of no confidence.
- Judicial Oversight: The Parliament can also challenge EU legislation through the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) if it believes that the Commission or Council has violated EU law.
Representative Function:
- Representation of Citizens: The European Parliament represents over 450 million citizens of the EU member states, providing a platform for direct participation in European governance. It allows citizens to engage with European politics and influence decisions that affect them.
- European Political Groups: Parliament functions as a forum for different political ideologies, providing a space for debate and decision-making on key issues facing the EU and its member states.
Conclusion:
The European Parliament plays a vital and dynamic role in shaping the EU’s legislative, economic, and political landscape. Through its legislative powers, budgetary control, and supervisory functions, the Parliament acts as a democratic check on the power of the Commission and the Council. Its direct election by citizens gives it a democratic legitimacy that is essential for the functioning of the European Union, ensuring that the voices of European citizens are heard in the decision-making process and that the EU remains responsive to its citizens’ needs and aspirations.