The European Parliament

The Council of Ministers and the European Parliament have been likened to the House of Lords and the House of Commons, but neither can initiate legislation. That power is reserved to the European Commission. However Parliament can pass non-binding resolutions and hold public committee hearings (in contrast to Commission meetings from which the public are excluded). The Parliament and the Council of Ministers are equally responsible for the EU budget. Over the years the European Parliament has gained additional credibility and influence as the only directly elected EU institution.

• 12 four-day plenary sittings ("part-sessions") in Strasbourg and six additional two-day plenary sittings in Brussels,
• two weeks a month for meetings of parliamentary committees and interparliamentary delegations,
• one week a month for political group meetings,
• four weeks a year where MEPs concentrate exclusively on constituency work.