European Parliament

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About European Parliament

The European Parliament (Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU). Together with the Council of the European Union (the Council), it forms the bicameral legislative branch of the Union's institutions and has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world.

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It has been directly elected every five years by universal suffrage since 1979. Although the European Parliament has legislative power that such bodies as those above do not possess, it does not have legislative initiative like most national parliaments. While it is the "first institution" of the European Union (mentioned first in the treaties, having ceremonial precedence over all authority at European level

The European Parliament has two meeting places, namely the Immeuble Louise Weiss in Strasbourg, France, which serves for plenary sessions and is the official seat and the Espace Léopold complex in Brussels, Belgium, the smaller of the two, which serves for preparatory meetings and complementary, non-plenary sessions. The cost of having all MEPs and their staff moving several times a year from one place to another has been of concern to some. The Secretariat of the European Parliament, the Parliament's administrative body, is based in Luxembourg.

The President of the European Parliament (its speaker) is currently Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP), elected in January 2007. He presides over a multi-party chamber, the two largest groups being the European People's Party-European Democrats (EPP-ED) and the Party of European Socialists (PES). The last Union-wide elections were the 2004 Parliamentary Elections, however Romania and Bulgaria joined in 2007 and are electing their members this year (see European Parliament election, 2007); the next union-wide parliamentary elections are in 2009 (see European Parliament election, 2009).

  1. Mentioned In 26 Articles

  2. Hindus' concern on religious equality in Malta noted by fundamental rights agency

    Explore Article timesofmalta.com (Jun 25 2010) Human Rights

    ...ear. On this issue, Hindus recently approached various bodies of European Union, Council of Europe, European Parliament; the European and Malta ombudsmen; the President and other government offices; as well as the Archd... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   European Parliament   European Union

  3. UNPO Chair UN Event on Minorities in South Asia

    Explore Article UNPO - Home (Mar 16 2010) Human Rights

    ...oted from the General Provision of the UN resolution relating to Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and a European Parliament resolution of 2007 that noted the “extreme poverty” and “lack of democratic structures” in the regi... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Human Rights Council   Asian Human Rights Commission   Karachi

  4. Joan Smith: Nothing liberal about defending burkas

    Explore Article The Independent (Jan 18 2010) Human Rights

    ...sn't explain why elderly women are sexually assaulted in their own homes. The leader of Ukip in the European Parliament, Nigel Farage, has just called for a ban on the burka (I assume he means the niqab as well, since t... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   France   Saudi Arabia   European Parliament

  5. HIndraf Makkal Shakti: US-based Hindu foundation condemns 'cow ...

    Explore Article HINDRAF Makkal Sakthi (Sep 1 2009) Human Rights

    HIndraf Makkal Shakti: US-based Hindu foundation condemns 'cow ... ...rpet. Waythamoorthy plans to lodge formal complaints with the United Nation's Human Rights Council, European Parliament, United Kingdom Foreign Affairs' select committee and the Global Human Rights Defence based in The ... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Human Rights Council   Ilango Karuppannan   Hindu Rights Action Force

  6. National Express: US-based Hindu foundation condemns 'cow head' mob

    Explore Article National Express (Sep 1 2009) Human Rights

    ...rpet. Waythamoorthy plans to lodge formal complaints with the United Nation's Human Rights Council, European Parliament, United Kingdom Foreign Affairs' select committee and the Global Human Rights Defence based in The ... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Human Rights Council   Ilango Karuppannan   Hindu Rights Action Force

  7. Separation of Church and State Party

    Explore Article newsweek.washingtonpost.com (Jul 11 2009)

    ...ication" of Britain, surprised and dismayed the political establishment by winning two seats in the European Parliament last week. The Party has been roundly condemned by leaders of the British Methodist Church, the Uni... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Scotland   Methodist Church   Westminster

  8. EU Official Says Lisbon Treaty Will Ensure Consultation With Religious Groups

    Explore Article Religion Clause (May 13 2009)

    ...g.) A second vote on the Treaty will be held in Ireland this Fall. EU Observer reported Monday that European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering urged Irish voters to approve the Treaty, saying that it will ensure... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Ireland   European Parliament

  9. Bangladesh' real Hero and the Nobel Peace Prize

    Explore Article Ghana HomePage (Mar 31 2009) Human Rights

    If these outspoken peace-loving gentlemen, the US Congress, the European Parliament, the Australian Senate, and numerous human rights organizations had not ... never look down on a pe... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Kuwait University   Hasina Wazed   Mark Kirk

  10. Bangladesh peace activist and the Nobel Peace Prize

    Explore Article Global Politician (Mar 24 2009) Human Rights

    ...ly managed to bail Choudhury out. If these outspoken peace-loving gentlemen, the U.S. Congress, the European Parliament, the Australian Senate, and numerous human rights organizations had not interfered, Choudhury would... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Burma   Mark Kirk   European Parliament

  11. Exclusive: A Muslim Hero Defies Threats as he Fights Radical Islam

    Explore Article Family Security Matters (Mar 6 2009) Human Rights

    Exclusive: A Muslim Hero Defies Threats as he Fights Radical Islam If these outspoken peace-loving gentlemen, the US Congress, the European Parliament, the Australian Senate, and numerous human rights organizations had not ... If what happened to Sal... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   US Congress   U.S. Congress   Kuwait University

  12. Our Hero Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury attacked again: How long we ...

    Explore Article American Chronicle (Feb 23 2009) Human Rights

    ... is greatly anticipated that, if the international community, including the United States Congress, European Parliament and the Australian Senate wouldn't stand in his support, by now, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury was a... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Bangladesh Awami League   Rapid Action Battalion   Tel Aviv

  13. Interfaith clergy reception for Rajan Zed

    Explore Article IndiaPost.com (Jan 9 2009) Interfaith

    ... together in Reno (Nevada) to honor a Hindu activist, Rajan Zed, who was recently invited to European Parliament (EP) for promoting interfaith dialogue. ... NEVADA: Inter-faith strife in many parts of the world d... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Universal Society of Hinduism   Rajan Zed   Nevada

  14. Unprecedented Honoring Of A Hindu Leader By Christians-Muslims ...

    Explore Article OfficialWire (Jan 8 2009) Interfaith

    Unprecedented Honoring Of A Hindu Leader By Christians-Muslims ... ...vada, USA) to honor fellow Nevadan acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who was recently invited to European Parliament (EP) for promoting interfaith dialogue. Bishop Gene Savoy Jr., President of Nevada Clergy Associati... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Nevada   Randolph R. Calvo   Mandali Mendrilla

  15. Interfaith group to honor Reno resident for parliament visit

    Explore Article www.rgj.com (Jan 6 2009) Interfaith

    ... a matter of great pride and honor for all of us that Rajan Zed was invited by the president of the European Parliament for a meeting to promote ... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Rajan Zed   European Parliament

  16. Christian-Muslim-Buddhist-Jewish Leaders To Honor Hindu Statesman Zed

    Explore Article OfficialWire (Jan 5 2009) Interfaith

    Christian-Muslim-Buddhist-Jewish Leaders To Honor Hindu Statesman Zed ...g together to honor fellow Nevadan acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who was recently invited to European Parliament to promote interfaith dialogue. Christian (various denominations), Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish,... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Universal Society of Hinduism   Rajan Zed   U.S. Senate

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