MEPs

MEPs, or Members of the European Parliament, are elected representatives who form the legislative branch of the European Union. They are elected for five-year terms by citizens in EU member states and work alongside the Council of the European Union to discuss, amend, and adopt European laws. In addition to lawmaking, MEPs approve the EU budget and oversee other EU institutions, notably the European Commission.

MEPs sit in transnational political groups rather than national parties, with major groups spanning center-right, center-left, liberal, green, and nationalist or eurosceptic alignments. Members come from all 27 member states and number 705 in the current Parliament, a total adjusted after Brexit to reflect population and representation rules.

The Parliament participates in the ordinary legislative procedure, which grants it joint authority with the Council over most EU legislation. It also has budgetary powers, the right to approve or reject the Commission as a whole, and the power to dismiss the Commission through a vote of censure. MEPs can question the Commission and set up committees of inquiry to investigate EU matters.

Parliament's work happens in committees and in plenary sessions. Committees draft report amendments; the plenary, held mainly in Strasbourg and in Brussels, votes on laws and motions. The Parliament elects the President of the European Commission and approves the College of Commissioners, shaping the political leadership of the EU.

In sum, MEPs serve as directly elected representatives who shape EU law, scrutinize the executive, and represent citizens’ interests at the European level.