What are the main functions of European parliament?

Answer 1

legislative power: in most cases Parliament shares the legislative power with the Council, in particular through the ordinary legislative procedure.

budgetary power: Parliament shares budgetary powers with the Council in voting on the annual budget, rendering it enforceable through the President of Parliament's signature, and overseeing its implementation

Answer 2

Broadly, the European Parliament exists to ensure that the interests of the average citizens are represented at the decision-making level in the European Union.

More specifically, it has 3 big powers that it exercises. The first is the power of legislation. Through co-decision (aka Ordinary Legislative Procedure), the European Parliament passes all legislation of the EU. The second big power is the power of oversight over the other European institutions. It appoints all new commissioners and the President of the commission, and is allowed to ask questions to both the Commission and Council. Parliament can examine all petitions sent to the Commission, can call for the mass resignation of the Commission, and the President of Parliament gives a speech before meetings of the European Council outlining Parliament's view on each of their agenda items. The third big power is the power of the purse. Parliament has a main role in setting the annual budget, and it cannot be passed without the signature of the President of Parliament. Also, the Parliament can examine the expenditures of the Commission.

The European Parliament meets at least 20 times per year to discuss various policy issues of the European Union. It has three primary sections of discussion.

1. Legislation: All legislation of the EU must be passed by parliament using co-decision or ordinary legislative procedure.

2. Oversight: Parliament acts as a check on other European institutions.

3. Budget: The budget of the EU must be passed through Parliament

Answer 3

The more philosophical function of the European Parliament is to ensure that there is a voice for the people at the high levels of the European Union, but in terms of what it actually does when it meets, it has three main functions.

The first is to pass legislation. It does this jointly with the Commission and the Council, where the Commission drafts legislation and both Parliament and Council must adjust and approve it.

The second is to act as a check and balance on the other institutions. It has considerable power over the membership of the commission and can ask questions of both Commission and the Council.

The third is to control the budget. The budget is jointly passed by the Parliament and Council, and the Parliament is responsible for approving the Commission's handling of the budget over the previous year.