The European Parliament (EP), which is located in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, is one of the main institutions of the European Union. It consists of a current total of 766 representatives who come from all 28 member states and are directly elected by the citizens of the EU.This direct universal suffrage is an integral element of democracy. Anyone who is a citizen of the Union has the right to vote for the members of the EP for a five-year period. Additionally, any European citizen can run for membership as long as they fulfill certain requirements; for example they need to be 18 or older and must have the right to vote in their country of residence. Once the Parliament is elected, it oversees several tasks such as debating and passing laws together with the European Council (EC). The EP and the EC also adopt the annual budget together. Another function of the EP is to supervise other EU institutions to make sure that they are working democratically. Through all these responsibilities the European Parliament has become one of the most powerful legislatures in the world.
by Maria Dorner, Bianca Stadler and Livia Perschy
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