European elections: We elect them once every five years but what do they do with your vote?
The European Parliament is one of the three main EU institutions that run the 27-nation European Union. Photograph: John Thys/AFP via Getty Images– the last one having taken place in 2019 – you may wonder what exactly a member of the European Parliament does, and why does your vote count.. Along with EU governments, it decides on laws that govern common European policies and the EU market of almost 450 million people.
“You are spending three to four days of the week in Brussels, and then every fourth week you are in Strasbourg where the plenary takes place. That’s where all the important voting takes place. Every directive also has a rapporteur or shadow rapporteur, she says. This person is tasked with working out the parliament’s position and holding negotiations with the Council of Ministers and the European Commission as part of what is called a trilogue. The aim of the trilogue is to reach a provisional agreement on a legislative proposal that is acceptable to both the parliament and the Council.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mary Banotti ‘worked fiercely for real change for Irish women’, funeral hearsFormer Fine Gael MEP ‘adored politics and the European stage was her Broadway’, says daughter
Read more »
Peace of Mind on European Roads: Why European Breakdown Cover is EssentialGet the best value car, home and travel insurance quotes from one of Ireland's top insurance brokers.
Read more »
'Big leap forward' needed in bid to ban vaping, says outgoing MEPFianna Fail's Barry Andrews said the e-cigarette industry is 'preying on young people', and the damage they're causing is now known
Read more »
‘Trailblazer’ former Fine Gael MEP Mary Banotti has diedTaoiseach Simon Harris says former Fine Gael presidential candidate was ‘smart, wise and funny’
Read more »
Death has taken place of ‘trailblazer’ former Fine Gael MEP Mary BanottiTaoiseach Simon Harris says former Fine Gael presidential candidate was ‘smart, wise and funny’
Read more »
Former MEP Mary Banotti dies aged 84Taoiseach Simon Harris has paid tribute to former MEP Mary Banotti, who has died at the age of 84.
Read more »