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Brief facts on the European Parliament

Fri May 29 04:18PM
What does the European Parliament do?

The European Parliament represents people living in the 27 member countries of the European Union (EU). It has powers in a range of areas that affect member countries:

  • animal rights
  • consumer rights
  • the environment
  • international trade
  • regional economic development
  • workers' rights

It has the power to approve, amend or reject new European laws.

How is it made up?

The European Parliament is made up of 785 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who are elected by 27 EU member countries. The UK is represented by 72 MEPs. In the UK, there are 12 European electoral regions and each region is represented by between three and ten MEPs.

Who is my MEP?

You can go to the website of the European Parliament to find out and who represents your area.

How many of our laws come from Europe?

Roughly 75%

When is the vote?

4th June 2009. Results announced on 7th June.

 

Related content: Who will get your vote on June 4th?

 

Comments111 - 112 of 112

  1. Good Evening,

    Sorry about my previous post, poorly written in anger, haste and with out
    thought as to its structure or grammar, but the sentiment remains the same.

    We need to leave the EU now.

    Dennis

    sinned694budd From sinned694budd on Mon Aug 10 07:56PM

    Report abuse

  2. The European Parliament is a historic achievement. It's significance will be appreciated by any one who considers the European history over the last 1000 years. Peace at last - sums it up.

    The fact is however that the European Parliament is a political organization that needs to be flexible and lean and its public servants need to be transparent in their contacts and contracts which they agree and reject.

    The present, the new and upcoming generations of citizens of Europe need to develop a cultural and political comprehension of the effectiveness the European Union has in the European and in the global economy.

    For that purpose it seems advisable that our education ethos and our media in the UK actually deal with the factual realities and report potential possibilities of the European Parliament and the effect it can have on the improvement of all our lives.

    We the voting citizens are invited to shape Europe and it's place in the world by electing representatives to the European Parliament and shape its future in a democratic way through the ballot box.
    Igor Zupnik , August 2009

    izupnik From izupnik on Sun Aug 23 10:53PM

    Report abuse

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