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European Parliament elections in EU 27: European Parliament in brief

The European Parliament represents the voice of the 515 million citizens in the 27 EU countries. The European Parliament is elected every 5 years since 1979 and   remains the only directly elected body of the European Union.

Increasing power of the European Parliament
Over the years, in particular since the first European elections in 1979, the European Parliament has progressively acquired greater influence and power.
he European Parliament has developed from a purely consultative assembly into a legislative parliament, exercising powers similar to those of the national parliaments.

Role and powers
Today the European Parliament acts as an equal partner with the Council of Ministers, which represents the national governments of the European Union countries :

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  • legislative power : it passes the majority of European laws - laws that affect the lives of European citizens.
  • Budgetary power : it discusses and adopts the EU budget
  • Supervisory power : it exercises democratic controls over all the European institutions.

The 2009 European Parliament elections
The 7th European Parliament’s elections will take place in June 2009 in all 27 EU Member States during which 736 MEPs will be elected.
The elected Members of the European Parliament are grouped by political affinity and not by nationality.
More information on the role, structures and activities of the European Parliament are available on the European Parliament website