A house divided by broad political lines
By Damien Cesselin and Corinne Mellul | China Daily | Updated: 2019-01-23 07:12
The European Parliament, which represents European citizens, was established as the legislative branch of the European Union. It is the only EU organ elected by direct universal suffrage, for five-year terms. The next election is scheduled for May 23-26.
The EP's three main functions are: adopting EU legislation jointly with the Council of the European Union on the basis of proposals by the European Commission; drafting the EU budget jointly with the Council of the EU and approving the medium-term budgetary framework; and exercising democratic oversight on all EU institutions, for instance, by electing the European Commission president.
The beginning of European integration
Photo
