About

• The European Parliament is an important forum for political debate and decision-making at the European Union (EU) level. 
• The Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent people’s interests with regard to EU law-making and to make sure other EU institutions are working democratically.
• The European Parliament comprises 720 Members (MEPs) elected every five years. The MEPs then elect their president for a term of two and a half years.

Functions

• Its primary functions include negotiating EU laws with the member state governments, which are represented by the European Council. Unlike national parliaments, the EP does not have the right to propose laws but can only negotiate those proposed by the executive European Commission. 
• The EP also approves the EU budget and votes on international agreements and enlargements of the bloc. 
• It also has the power to approve or reject the appointment of the European Commission president and the commissioners.