The European
Parliament
The European Parliament is the only directly-elected
body of the European Union. The 736 Members of the
European Parliament are there to represent you, the
citizen. They are elected once every five years by
voters right across the 27 Member States of the European
Union on behalf of its 492 million citizens.
On the Parliament website, you can find information
on how the Parliament organises its work, through a
system of specialised committees. The work of the European
Parliament is important because in many policy areas,
decisions on new European laws are made jointly by
Parliament and the Council of Ministers, which represents
Member States.
Parliament plays an active role in drafting legislation
which has an impact on the daily lives of its citizens. Environmental protection, consumer
rights, equal opportunities, transport, and the free
movement of workers, capital, services and goods all come under the parliament's remit. Parliament
also has joint power with the Council over the annual
budget of the European Union.
If you would like a more in-depth look at the Parliament
please click on the "in detail" icon for
information on the role of the President, the internal
bodies of the Parliament, and the rules of procedure
and working practices.
Under the heading "The Parliament and You" there
are a number of useful links for you to interact with
Parliament as a citizen. This includes the right to
write to Parliament with a question, to express your
views, to receive all public documents. Should you
wish to formally petition Parliament, you will also
find all the necessary information here (web link below):
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/parliament/public/staticDisplay.do?language=EN&id=49
Perhaps
you would like to visit the Parliament in Brussels
or Strasbourg and see it in action for yourself? If
so please contact Jim.
|
