Forget about the excitement of the upcoming US elections; a Europe-wide vote is fast approaching!
If you live in one of the European Union’s 28 member states, then you are entitled to vote in the European Parliament elections held between the 23rd and 26th of May of this year. The elections fall every 5 years, and give some 512 million people the chance to choose representatives from their nation to sit in the European Parliament.
This is the biggest transnational vote on the planet, so what better time to read up on the inner workings of the European Parliament?
Defining itself as “the directly elected legislative body of the European Union”, the European Parliament is a democratic institution that acts on behalf of the citizens of the European Union, passing or rejecting proposed legislations. Each member state puts forward several Members of European Parliament (MEPs) proportional to population size. They decide the fate and direction the European Union is set to take for the next five years. Parliament also acts on citizen’s behalf, defending and protecting their interests when it comes to controversial pieces of legislation, whilst taking an important role on the global stage as it unifies one voice for all its members.
We’ve done some research and written a comprehensive guide for you to realise how your vote will affect the European Parliament’s composition.
Brief history of the European Union
1952 – The European Union began as cooperation between France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany, and Italy, with the aim of creating a single market (with standardised tariffs) for trading coal and steel, called the European Coal and Steel Community. These two goods were thought essential resources to wage war.
1957 – All 6 members signed the Treaty of Rome, integrating their economies further, creating the European Economic Community (EEC), and a consultative assembly. Other European nations began to join the community.
1967 – The assembly officially became known as the European Parliament, though it is still appointed by national parliaments, and only competent on certain specific topics.
1979 – The first direct elections for the European Parliament took place. 410 representatives were chosen for the 9 member states.
2009 – The 27 member states signed the Treaty of Lisbon, further consolidating their union and economies, and putting the European Parliament on a legislative par with the Council of the European Union. All proposals pass through the European Parliament: they are empowered to regulate legislation for a whole continent.[[1].
Brussels houses the most EU institutions in its European Quarter with architecturally beautiful modern buildings with abstract facades and intricate designs. Each building hosts an institution, an agency or a body of the European Union. There are seven core institutions spread across Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg, and Frankfurt[2]:
European Council: it sets the global direction and priorities of the Union, and acts as its head. It is made up of the heads of state or government of all 28-member states (soon to be 27 after Brexit day), and is presided over by the President appointed by the European Council members. The current President is Donald Tusk, and its seat is in Brussels.
European Commission: fundamentally, it is the executive arm of the Union, acting like a government or administration. It is made up of a College of Commissioners and is the only institution endowed with legislative initiative, meaning only they can propose laws to Parliament. They’re also the guardians of the treaties signed by the member states, making sure each member and institution respects them. At its head stands the President of the Commission (like a Prime Minister or a head of government), elected by Parliament through a Spitzenkandidaten process, and its seat is just across the street from the European Council in Brussels. The Spitzenkandidaten process allows political parties, ahead of the elections, to put forward a central figure whom they would like to see President of the Commission should their party win most of the seats in Parliament.
Council of the European Union: confusingly nicknamed The Council, though distinct from the European Council here above, this institution acts as the upper house of the legislative process. It comprises the respective 28 member states’ ministers of whatever issue is on the table, and is presided over on a rotational basis, by one of the member states for 6 months. Romania holds the presidency until June 2019, followed by Finland and later Croatia. Its seat is also in Brussels.
European Parliament: it consists of 751 representatives directly elected by over 512 million European citizens from all 28-member countries. Once Brexit goes through, the number of representatives will decrease to 705. It shares the legislative powers with the Council of the EU, meaning both need to vote on proposals in order for them to become effective. Its scope goes from tax rulings, to foreign affairs, and employment. Fundamentally, it represents the voice and concerns of citizens, whereas the Council represents the governments of member states. After each election, it chooses a President to represent it abroad and among other European institutions. It is the only institution that is explicitly supranational, which means it’s empowered to oversee member states, because of its direct election by citizens. Its plenary meetings are held in Strasbourg, France, and its committee work, as well as the other hemicycle, are found in Brussels, Belgium.
Court of Justice of the European Union (CVRIA): it ensures the correct application of EU law across the continent, and mitigates between member states and individuals, and EU institutions. Its seat is in Luxembourg.
European Central Bank: it is the printing machine of the Euro, and keeps the economy and monetary stability of member states in check. Its seat is in Frankfurt, Germany.
European Court of Auditors: ensures the proper management of funds by institutions and member states. It also provides advice and council, and works often together with the Court of Justice. Its seat is in Luxembourg.
Together, these institutions make up the European Union, and in their interaction with one another, they act as fundamental checks and balances both to member states, and among themselves. The European Commission also has a number of EU Agencies spread across the Union to help implement decisions and gather vital information to draft legislation. For instance, the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) is located in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC) is seated in Stockholm, Sweden. You can look up all the agencies by clicking here.
There are also a number of EU bodies, working in parallel with the institutions that play a more specialised role. For example, there is the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) (not a parliamentary committee), representing constituent regions of many EU member states, such as Catalonia, Bavaria, Flanders, or Szekely Land, thus giving a voice to regional concerns. It acts however, only as an advisory assembly, and is seated in Brussels. Another example is the European Investment Bank (EIB) that provides funds for projects inside and outside the EU, and holds meetings in Luxembourg. Finally, in Brussels, there is also the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) tasked with protecting people’s privacy online from other EU institutions and member states. You can do more research on these and other EU bodies by clicking here.
The European Parliament votes on all proposals set forth by the Commission, alongside the Council, and can single-handedly turn down any law proposal. Regardless of the general political direction decided upon by the European Council, should the Commission propose a law that Parliament finds unworthy, dangerous or simply inconsistent with popular demands, it will refuse to let it become into law.[3] This has already happened many times in the past. One controversial legislative proposal was the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) with the USA and other third countries. This international convention was set forth by the European Commission to be voted on. After a long investigation in committees and in plenary, Parliament voted to turn the law down, and it never became enforced within the Union, even though the Council voted in favour of it.
The powers of the European Parliament
Europe has yet to draft and ratify a constitution. Such a document would deeply integrate the whole continent into one cohesive block, federalising the Union, and practically giving birth to a European country. The EU had a proposal tabled in 2004 by a group of countries, interested to further consolidate the union they have thus far created. However, France and the Netherlands held a referendum that produced negative outcomes, thus forcing the EU to drop the idea of a federal Europe.[4] An exhaustive treaty was none the less signed in Lisbon, laying the foundation work for a commitment to further integrate the continent, but falling short of a constitution.
In many ways, the European Union is a confederation of states, sharing common economic and social policies in favour of a cohesive voice on the world stage and peace in the region. It is built on top of a set of treaties agreed upon by all member states between them, and each represented by governments democratically elected. It started off as an intergovernmental organisation, meaning these institutions had no power over its members. They merely implemented decisions the member states voted on, and ensured the organisation of the institution functioned properly. However, with the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992, giving way to a common currency and a centralised single market, and in 2009 the Treaty of Lisbon, providing for a unified voice for all its institutions, the EU grew out of its intergovernmental shell, and became almost supranational; in other words, above nations. From then on it enforced laws, regulations, and forced countries to fall in line with the rest of the EU; it started to exist and act as a country, but only on certain topics, and with limited foreign recognition. For instance, the military competence is a topic the EU is explicitly prohibited to discuss.
The European Parliament is the core institution of this supranational nature of the Union. In some regards, it is endowed with a level of sovereignty, since it is elected directly by citizens from across the continent. Its powers and roles are threefold[5]:
Legislative role: it votes on any legislative proposal touching on these subjects: Environment
Transport
Internal market
Jobs & social policy
Education
Public health
Consumer production
Agriculture and fisheries
Support for poorer regions
Security and justice
Commercial policy (trade)
Cooperation with third countries
Implementing future acts of Unity
For other topics it has a consultative role influencing decisions, but may not vote on them.
Budgetary role: Parliament has to vote and approve the budget set out by the European Commission, alongside the Council, and both have to agree on the exact text. The budget is voted on yearly, but a general framework of spending is decided for a term of seven years, called a Multiannual Financial Framework.
Supervisory role: the European Commission can only function properly if it has a majority of MEPs supporting it. As such, Parliament can dismiss, interrogate, and greatly influence the Commission, as well as other institutions, agencies and bodies of the Union.
Parliament’s role is then decisive in the functioning of the Union, as a means of progressing on key domestic and international affairs, and on keeping the EU cohesive. Its main role is naturally to legislate and ratify proposals.
This process starts off with the European Commission. It has the tools and information necessary to produce informed decisions on legislation, as well as knowledge on the implementation procedures. It sources some of its information from European agencies and bodies and from citizen’s initiatives, incorporating survey results and petitions in its legislative process. As such, it suits its role of legislative initiator and consequently tables a law proposal to both the Council and Parliament. The latter is composed of over 22 permanent parliamentary committees composed of elected MEPs with expertise in the respective areas, and chosen so as to represent the diverse nationalities and political parties of the Union. These range from foreign affairs, civil liberties, and petitions, to transport, agriculture and trade. The committees’ website gives you an insight into their daily work.[6]
Depending on the nature of the proposal, the respective committees will be mobilised and required to draft a report on their results. They will then vote on the text and amend it if it’s necessary. When all MEPs gather together in Strasbourg, the committees will present their report and amendments and will proceed to the first reading of the proposal and vote on it. Should it pass this first vote in plenary, it is then presented to the Council of the European Union, where the member states’ government ministers of the respective topic proceed to the same process. They can accept Parliament’s amendments, amend it further themselves, or simply refuse the text and send it back to the assembly. If both the Council and Parliament vote in favour of it, the law will then become either a directive, meaning it will have to still pass through national parliaments in order to be enforced, or a regulation, meaning it will immediately become law across the Union, without any further approval required from the member states.[7]
If the Council is unhappy with the text and sends it back to Parliament, the latter will proceed to the same initial steps it took before the first reading, and conclude in a plenary session where MEPs will vote on it in a second reading. Once voted in favour, the text makes its way back to the Council for their second reading of the law. If they still refuse to vote in favour, both houses will organise a Conciliation Committee, composed of 28 MEPs and 28 ministers in an attempt to find common ground and produce a text favourable by both parties. This in turn leads to a third and final reading in both Parliament and the Council. Should this still be turned down, the law proposal is abandoned and may never be presented again to either house.[8]
Through this strictly respected procedure, the EU has achieved some of the most notable results to bring European nations together and unite them as never before. Besides the single currency of the Euro, the single market, and the customs union, which regulate trade policies with third countries, it has also scrapped the need for any internal borders between member states. Furthermore, it also provided the foundation for peace on the continent for over half a century, protecting at the same time human dignity, human rights, and liberty of expression.
Probably the most notable and possibly the most important laws that pass through Parliament and the Council at the start of every year are the budgetary laws. These go through the same process, ending up in the hands of both houses where they can amend it, accept it or refuse it. The European Union also sets out guidelines for the maximum amount of funds committed to certain topics every seven years. This is called the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and it is an indication of EU’s priorities and its annual budgetary goals. It consists of €1,087 trillion for 2014 to 2020, spread across different sectors. The MFF dictates the maximum amount spent on various programmes and disciplines over the course of a seven-year period, with some flexibility allowed for unforeseen events. For the 2014-2020 MFF, it dedicates about 39% of funds to the preservation and management of natural resources as well as their sustainable growth – about €420 billion. This includes funds for agriculture, fisheries, rural development and the protection of the environment. Another 34% goes to economic and social cohesion, committing some €371 billion to fund research, innovation, sustainable development, to combat climate change and much more. A further €142 billion, or 13%, are meant to fund seven years of education, training, various industries, small and medium businesses, and transport, among other things.[9]
It is highly probable that the ensuing MFF for 2020-2027 will be similar, but that might depend on the MEPs’ priorities and the reason for their election to office. Since it is up to Parliament to designate a Commission, and to vote on the MFF and the annual budget, MEPs are essentially the ones who have the power and prerogatives to decide which sectors of the economy will receive the most amount of funding.
Election Days
Having discussed the composition of the European Union, its functioning, institutions, and powers, it is now time to focus more on the inner workings of the European Parliament. How do MEPs work on a daily basis, and what types of politics are taking place behind the scenes? We will cover here the European political parties, their alliances and how exactly the vote is carried out.
There are in fact four election days, spanning from the 23rd to the 26th May across the Union, which each country voting on one of these four days. Here is the countdown for each member state’s election day[10]:
- Countries in bold require mandatory voting from all its citizens and/or registered electors (even registered EU foreign nationals).
- Countries in italic require registration a few weeks before in order to be able to vote.
- EU citizens living in another member state, outside their native country, wishing to vote have two choices:
- Voting in their host country, which requires registration with their local authority in advance. Electors must usually be at least 18 years old and have resided a certain minimum amount of time in the country to qualify as electors;
- Voting on the home country’s lists at the consulate or embassy may also require registration, depending on the member state. Some states allow vote by proxy (power of attorney), vote at the consulate, or vote by post;
- Czech Republic, Ireland, Slovakia, and Malta do not allow voting from abroad. These citizens should register in their host country in order to participate;
- Italy and Bulgaria only allow voting from abroad for citizens living in another EU country, not third non-EU countries;
- Estonia is the only member allowing internet-based voting for its citizens.
N.B.: According to the latest negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Brexit day has been postponed to a further date, due to take place the latest on 31 October 2019. Britain is thus set to partake in the elections. British Nationals will soon be called to cast a vote for the European Parliament. The UK’s electoral law requires that all British Nationals register with their local authority, although this is rarely enforced, and voting itself is not mandatory. Voting from abroad is not possible for Nationals who’ve been living in another EU or non-EU country for over 5 consecutive years, or who haven’t ever registered in the UK. Finally, the British government must still decide on a date to organise the vote. [11]
Each member state decides on the rules of the election and the method it uses to elect its representatives. However, there is a directive instituted by the EU imposing a “spirit of proportional representation” to whichever method they’re using. This in turn creates methods which are representative of the voting reality, but are quite complex when it comes to distribute the seats. Here are the three elections methods used:[12]
Closed Lists Proportional Representation:
Each political group or party presents a list of candidates. Voters can only chose the party or group, and may not allocate a preferential vote for a specific candidate on the list (often these are not presented on the ballot, just the party logo). Once the votes are tallied, the party with the most votes sends the first on the list for the first seat. After dividing this party’s votes by the number of seats won plus one, the next biggest party sends its first on the list for the following seat, or the same party its next candidate on the list, if it still has the most votes. Used by Portugal, Spain, France, Romania, Hungary, Germany, England, Scotland, and Wales.
Open Lists Proportional Representation (Preferential voting):
Unlike the Closed Lists, this method allows to cast a vote for a preferred candidate on the political lists. In other words, within a chosen party list, electors can vote for a specific candidate. Consequently, when the seats are distributed, it is not necessarily the first on the list that wins the first seat in Parliament, but the person with the most votes, from the list with the most votes. Used by Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, and Malta.
Single Transferable Vote:
This method allows electors to rank their preferred candidates across all political lists. This means a voter can rank candidates from different parties. A quota is calculated according to the Droop Quota formula to decide the minimum amount of votes to win a seat. The candidate with the most votes wins the first seat. The remaining votes from this candidate are then spread to the second ranked candidates; the person with the most votes here wins the second seat. This system goes on until all seats are allocated.Used solely by Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Italy, and England have different lists depending on the constituency you’ll be voting in. The other member states use the same lists of candidates across the whole country, in one national or federal constituency. The number of seats allocated for every state is dictated by the principle of degressive proportionality, meaning countries with smaller populations receive a greater representation than what a normal proportionality principle would allow.[13] This is so to give a bigger voice to states, which would otherwise not have had enough weight to be important.
Parliament has reapportioned its seating configuration accordingly in anticipation of the United Kingdom’s exit. Its withdrawal incurs a loss of 73 seats in the assembly. To adjust for this decrease, Parliament has decided to increase the representation rate of some member states. Smaller and medium sized countries have seen their seating increased by a few seats. All in all, 73 seats will be lost because of Brexit and 27 won due to the reapportionment method. This results in a decrease of only 46 seats, and a parliament made up of 705 representatives. The remaining 27 unused seats will be reserved for any future enlargement, as the maximum amount of representatives is capped at 751.[14]
However, seeing that the UK will participate in this year’s elections, the total amount of MEPs will stay at 751, as will the apportionment.
Members of the European Parliament
Once all the ballots have been counted and sorted through, and the seats allocated to their candidates, MEPs will coalesce together to form political groups in Parliament according to their common ideology, platform and identity. This is only allowed for groups that comprise at least 25 members from at least 8 different countries. The current composition of the European Parliament falls very much along traditional lines of politics.[15]
I will briefly go through all the current parties’ ideologies and try to map them out on a spectrum. It is however essential to keep in mind that these are simply guidelines, and are not only subject to change once new MEPs are voted in and the new groups are organised, but also because we’ll see new political parties taking seats in the assembly.[16] This requires research to keep following the parties’ evolution and their stance on global and local issues.
European People’s Party (EPP): it’s a conglomerate of Christian centre-right and conservative parties, very much in favour of consolidating the Union further and fostering a federal Europe. They cooperate with other parties for coalitions and compromises and are usually seen as compromise-makers and traditionalists, keeping the peace and prosperity level Europe has achieved through the years through deals and compromises with other parties. The EPP is usually the biggest party in Parliament. Notable figures include the Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, EPP President and 2019 Spitzenkandidat Manfred Weber, and Parliament President Antonio Tajani.
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D): represent the socialists and social democrats of Europe. Fiercely progressive and focused on workers’ rights throughout the Union, they’re the second biggest force in Parliament. They prioritise a fairer society for Europe, as well as the implementation of a sustainable lifestyle. They aim to create a new social contract for the whole Union to protect people’s jobs and opportunities, redistributing wealth and fostering equality in our common European society. Depending on issues at hand, they might desire a federal Europe, and usually help the EPP create coalitions in the Commission. Notable figures include Martin Schulz, former Parliament president, and current 2019 Spitzenkandidat and Vice-President of the Commission Frans Timmermans.
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE): comprises the centrists and liberal parties of Europe and often act as the kingmaker since they fall in between the EPP and S&D, and can afford to be picky about their requirements. They’re fiercely federalists and fight to sustain the dream of a truly united Europe. Notable figures include its President and Brexit coordinator for Parliament Guy Verhofstadt, Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager, and Commissioner for International Trade Cecilia Malmström.
Greens/European Free Alliance (Green/EFA): is concerned with a transition to sustainable forms of energy and protecting the environment all the while helping increase the purchasing power for citizens. They often fall on the left side of the aisle. Notable figures include its Presidents Philippe Lamberts and Ska Keller.
European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR): represent the conservatives of the European Parliament, defending the rights and interests of member states. They don’t usually classify as Eurosceptics, though they can oppose further integration and propose to leave many competences to member countries. They often seek a reform of the EU in favour of a looser organisation with fewer competences, rather than a dissolution of the it. Notable figures include its co-chairs Syed Kamall and Ryszard Legutko.
Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD): defend the interests and concerns of nationalists across the region. They qualify as hard Eurosceptics and seek if not the dismantlement of the EU, at least their country’s exit from it.
European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL): represent the far-left and socialist militants of Europe. They are often made up of former communist parties and workers’ interest parties, as well as some environmentalists concerned with socialist ideals. Some members of Parliament are unaffiliated, either because they lack the numbers to create a group, or because they were elected as independents in their constituency.
Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF): is a political party not yet in Parliament, but which we may see pop up in the next legislature. It comprises of right-wing nationalists, hard Eurosceptics, and anti-EU parties, promoting an end to any type of immigration and the dismantlement of the European Union. They may be qualified to some extent as far-right fascists.
When voting this spring, we need to watch to which European alliance our vote goes to and what their agenda for the EU is for the next 5 years. Most traditional parties will fall in the same categories as in the last legislature, however we’ll see new parties elected in office, and these will have the choice to remain on their own, or join negotiations for a political alliance. For instance, the new French political party La République En Marche will likely see more than 25 MEPs voted in to Parliament.[17] Will it join an alliance close to its aspirations, such as ALDE? Or will it rather try to fashion its own party? Other smaller parties will also see the day in the assembly, and will face the same choice. Paradoxically, this will allow for a more democratic representation in Parliament, as these parties will force other bigger parties to compromise with them and direct legislation according to their voters’ concerns.
It is also important to understand how MEPs work on a daily basis and their schedule. Most of their political and committee work is done in Brussels, but the bulk of the administrative work is done Luxembourg. Finally, all its plenary session take place in Strasbourg where they collectively vote on as many pieces of legislation as possible. Members of the European Parliament work on tight colour-coded schedules with each working day dedicated to a specific job. Here are the four colours ruling MEPs’ agendas:[18]
Blue: MEPs are supposed to meet with their political affiliates in their European alliance or party. This takes roughly 3 days out of their monthly schedule. This usually takes place in Brussels;
Red: dictates the 5 days a month of plenary session in Strasbourg, where all the important voting is taking place;
Pink: is for committee work in Brussels, where MEPs meet up to discuss and amend different proposals set forth by the Commission, as part of the legislative process. This also takes around 5 to 8 days of the month.
You’ll find here all the latest news on the Committees’ decisions and investigations that may affect you; Turquoise: is reserved for time in their constituencies, meeting up with the local electors and hearing out their concerns. This usually takes a week out of their monthly schedule.
All MEPs work collectively on a tight schedule amending, investigating, and delivering on budgetary, legislative, and supervisory tasks ensuring their electors’ voices are heard and defended. Our peaceful lifestyle is dependent on these politicians’ decisions, how they view the world and the future of the EU. They are not bureaucrats appointed by an elite politburo such as in China or other dictatorships, rather they are directly elected by your vote, voicing your concerns, fears, and aspirations. Each MEP represents roughly 670.000 Europeans. To put into perspective, Congress has a rate of 700.000 Americans per representative,[19] and India has only 530 representatives for over 1 billion people.[20]
That is why each vote counts to determine which candidate will represent these citizens.
Furthermore, because of the very representative nature of Parliament, this institution has the power to dismiss any decision on a European level that contradicts with their electors, or puts in peril the integrity of the Union or their citizens liberties and rights. Voting is thus important not because it’s inherently self-important, but because Parliament can’t properly function without your voice.
The Union is not made to serve a body of elite people who work behind the scenes in secretive organisations. This European union was created to promote peace, freedom and equality among all citizens of this continent. Our grandparents will remember the struggle and battle they faced through hardship of war, famine, rationing, perhaps even dictatorships and the lack of any voice in their country’s institutions. Whether this was Franco’s Spain, Communist Romania or Poland, or Nazi Germany, every European state saw dire moments of an elite group, taking hostage millions for the benefit of their personal well-being. The European Union is committed to protect everyone’s welfare, rights and liberty to express freely their opinions and voice, in their country’s and the Union’s institutions. When Greece, Spain, and Portugal joined in the 1980’s, it was in part to foster and protect the fragile liberal democracy these nations were struggling to implement after years of dictatorship. For let us not forget, the liberal democratic principle that the European Union functions on, requires your vote, and allows you to express your opinions freely and directly to the highest body in the Union: the European Parliament.
We have tried to map out as exhaustively as possible the full inner working of Parliament and the unfolding of the election days. There will inevitably be parts and bits that are missing, perhaps not exactly detailed enough. None the less, the information we strove to provide to you here is all coming from sources online, either from the European Parliament’s website itself, or from renowned political analysis websites. Please take time to go through some of these website, acquaint yourself with the structure of the European Union and how to vote in your local authority.
A good start is the European Parliament’s own website, where it lists its competence, decisions, and organisation and structure. There is even a small video going briefly through Parliament’s roles: Link here. For more information on the election days, on how to vote in your constituency, this website by the European Parliament holds all the necessary information you may need. If you’re unsure about where to vote if you live abroad, click here to see in which category you fit in, as well as where and how to vote. Finally, any Wikipedia page on the EU or any of its institutions, agencies or bodies will provide ample information to understand how it works and how it fits in the whole Union.
The EU is here to serve you; make your voice heard by voting this spring.
Written by Tudor Manda
[1] European Union, “The EU in brief”, https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/eu-in-brief_en, 06/03/2019
[2] European Union, “Institutions and bodies”, https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies_en, 06/03/2019
[3] European Union, “European Parliament”, https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies/european-parliament_en, 06/03/2019
[4] European Union, “Draft establishing a constitution for Europe (not ratified)”, Link , 06/03/2019
[5] About Parliament, “Welcome to the European Parliament”, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/about-parliament/en/home, 06/03/2019
[6] About Parliament, “Legislative Powers”, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/about-parliament/en/powers-and-procedures/legislative-powers, 06/03/2019
[7] About Parliament, “Legislative Powers”, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/about-parliament/en/powers-and-procedures/legislative-powers, 06/03/2019
[8] Ibidem.
[9] Europa, “Overview MFF 2014-2020”, http://ec.europa.eu/budget/mff/index2014-2020_en.cfm, 06/03/2019
[12] Op. cit. 10
[13] Op. Cit. 10
[14] Ibidem.
[16] Ibidem.
[20] Congress.gov, https://www.congress.gov/, 07/03/2019
Kommentare