EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Source: EURACTIVE

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context: Election to European Parliament held on June 6.

Details

European Parliament

• Role: Directly-elected EU body with legislative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibilities
• Members: 720 MEPs (Members of the European Parliament)
• President: Roberta Metsola
• Established in: 1952 as Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, 1962 as European Parliament, first direct elections in 1979
• Location: Strasbourg (France), Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg

The European Parliament is the EU's law-making body. It is directly elected by EU voters every 5 years.

The last European elections took place on 6-9 June 2024. 

What does the Parliament do?

The Parliament has 3 main roles:

Legislative

• Passing EU laws, together with the Council of the EU, based on European Commission proposals
• Deciding on international agreements
• Deciding on enlargements
• Reviewing the Commission's work programme and asking it to propose legislation

Supervisory

• Democratic scrutiny of all EU institutions
• Electing the Commission President and approving the Commission as a body. Possibility of voting a motion of censure, obliging the Commission to resign
• Granting discharge, i.e. approving the way EU budgets have been spent
• Examining citizens' petitions and setting up inquiries
• Discussing monetary policy with the European Central Bank
• Questioning Commission and Council
• Election observations

Budgetary

• Establishing the EU budget, together with the Council
• Approving the EU's long-term budget, the "Multiannual Financial Framework"

Composition

• The number of MEPs for each country is roughly proportionate to its population, but this is by degressive proportionality: no country can have fewer than 6 or more than 96 MEPs and the total number cannot exceed 750 (plus the President). MEPs are grouped by political affiliation, not by nationality.
• The President represents Parliamentto other EU institutions and the outside world and gives the final go-ahead to the EU budget.

How does the Parliament work?

Parliament's work comprises two main stages:

• Committees - to prepare legislation.
  The Parliament numbers 20 committees and three subcommittees, each handling a particular policy area. The committees examine proposals for legislation, and MEPs and political groups can put forward amendments or propose to reject a bill. These issues are also debated within the political groups.
• Plenary sessions– to pass legislation.
  This is when all the MEPs gather in the chamber to give a final vote on the proposed legislation and the proposed amendments. Normally held in Strasbourg for four days a month, but sometimes there are additional sessions in Brussels.

European Parliamentary Election Results: Detailed Analysis

• Fragile Centre Amid Rightward Shift
  • Centre retains position but weakened.
  • Shift to the right with potential to shape EU’s near future.
  • Falls short of the predicted “earthquake.”

France

• Macron's Defeat and Consequences
  • President Emmanuel Macron defeated by RN (Rassemblement National).
  • Macron calls for snap national parliamentary elections.
  • Macron emphasizes the need for “a clear majority” and proactive citizens.
• Electoral Outcomes
  • RN led by Jordan Bardella achieves highest national levels.
  • Macron’s “Renew Europe” coalition led by Valérie Hayer finishes second-lowest in French government’s EU election history.

European Parliament Overview

• Nuanced Overall Picture
  • Predictions of increased populist/extreme right presence partially true.
  • EPP (mainstream conservative) increases its size, retaining the centre ground.
  • EPP projected to gain 25% of parliament with 184 MEPs.
  • Centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) retain their base.
• EPP's Future Responsibilities
  • Continued influence on industrial, agricultural, and climate policies.
  • Needs to identify preferred leadership for next EU institution elections, including the European Commission.

Far Right Performance

• Overall Success
  • Far right parties perform remarkably well despite internal splits.
  • RN in France garners a third of votes.
  • Italy’s Brothers of Italy supported by a quarter of voters.
• Parliamentary Impact
  • Hard right (ECR) and far right (ID) groups control 131 seats.
  • Additional 34 hard right independents from various countries.
  • Potential to form nationalist, anti-immigration blocs.
  • Potential to shift EU policies on immigration, trade, agriculture, and climate change.
• Consequences of Far Right Success
  • Confirms the anticipated rightward tilt of the parliament.
  • May entrench far-right preferences in several EU states.
  • Signals potential policy changes to international partners, including the US.

Green Party Performance

• Mixed Results
  • Dutch Labour/Green alliance edges past PVV, securing 8 seats vs. 6 for PVV.
  • Netherlands shows slowing rightward slide.
  • German Greens drop to fourth place, a decline of 8.5% from 2019.
  • French Greens barely reach the 5% electable threshold.
• Overall Position
  • Greens slip from fourth to sixth in the parliament.
  • Reduced policy leadership despite ongoing climate crisis.

Broader Implications

• Parliament as a Barometer
  • Election results indicative of national politics trends in key EU countries.
  • 2019 “green wave” catalyzed green policy actions.
  • Right-leaning and Eurosceptic groups signal potential for significant legislative changes.
• Parliament’s Influence
  • Debate on whether parliament reflects the EU's strategic direction.
  • EU’s key policies influenced more by leaders of major institutions than the parliament.

Coalition Talks and Future Challenges

• Coalition Building
  • Weeks of negotiations expected among core parties and MEPs.
• Key Issues on the Agenda
  • Executive elections, including Ursula von der Leyen’s potential second term.
  • War in Ukraine and European security.
  • Israel-Hamas conflict and cost of living crises.
  • Migration, asylum issues, and climate change policies.
• Polycrisis Phenomenon
  • EU faces multiple, protracted emergencies without clear resolutions.
  • EP’s role as watchdog for EU budget and policies remains crucial.

Conclusion

• European parliamentary election results highlight a fragile centre with a significant rightward shift. While the centre holds, the far right's strong performance indicates potential policy changes. The coming weeks will be critical as coalition talks and executive elections shape the future EU agenda.

More: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/european-parliament

Sources:

Doentoearth

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following country is not the member of the EU? A. Estonia B.  Denmark C.  Switzerland D. Malta Answer C