The European Parliament

Create a check-list of the essential features of a liberal representative democracy. Before we begin

European parliament - Composition Only directly-elected institution in the EU Elections held every five years (including 2014) Each member state uses a version of PR Seats are allocated according to population (UK has 73) – 736 MEPs exist overall (increase to 751 soon) Has three locations – Strasbourg (main meeting place), Brussels (committee stage) and Luxembourg (Secretariat)

Voter turnout in European elections

Who is in the European parliament? MEPs sit in transnational parties with similar ideologies European People’s Party largest (EPP) UK Conservative Party was a member of this group until it joined European Conservatives and Reformists group (2009)

Legislative power Shares this power with Council of Ministers. Can’t start legislation. Influence of Parliament varies in this area (see next slide) Budgetary authority Shares budgetary authority with the Council of Ministers. Influences EU spending. Can request amendments of draft budget and veto it Democratic supervision Oversees activities of the European Commission. Can approve commission president and college. Can investigate financial mismanagement. Scrutinises commissioners and can set up committees of enquiry. Functions and powers

Does the European Parliament meet the conditions for liberal representative democracy? How does the European Parliament compare to the Westminster parliament? Which is more democratic? Key questions

How is the EU Parliament different from Westminster? The European Parliament has four key powers: It can pass primary legislation in certain key areas (e.g. the environment) It approves the EU budget It confirms the appointment of the Commission and its President; and can remove either through a vote of censure The Parliament can refer proposals by the European Commission to the Council of Ministers, for further consideration, but cannot reject them