European Parliament

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The debating chamber, or "hemicycle", in Strasbourg
The debating chamber, or "hemicycle", in Strasbourg
The European Parliament building in Strasbourg
The European Parliament building in Strasbourg

The European Parliament (formerly European Parliamentary Assembly) is the parliament of the European Union (EU). EU citizens elect its members once every five years. Together with the Council of Ministers, it is the law-making branch of the institutions of the Union. It meets in two locations: Strasbourg and Brussels.

The European Parliament has limited law-making power. It cannot start new laws because this is the job of the European Commission. But it can change (it can even cancel) most new laws before they are official. For some laws and decisions, it only has to be asked for its opinion. Parliament also keeps a check on the European Commission; it has to approve any new Commissioners before they can be given their jobs. If it decides that the Commission is not doing its job properly, it can make them all leave their jobs. It also has the right to control the EU budget.

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