The European Parliament with its 626 directly elected members represents 370 million citizens and is thus the largest multi-national parliament in the world. The parties of the European Parliament have amalgamated to currently 8 factions, the largest party is the European People’s Party (Christian Democrat Faction, EPP-ED) with 231, the second largest is the Socialist Group (PSE) with 179 members. Other factions are those of the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR) with 53 members, the Green/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) with 45 members, the confederate faction of the European United Left /Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) with 44 members, the Union for Europe of the Nations (UEN) with 22 members and the Group for a Europe of Democracies and Diversities (EDD) with 18 members. 33 members of the European Parliament do not belong to any faction.
The parliament which was originally designed exclusively as an advisory body has now more and more authorities in the fields of legislation, budget and control of the executive authorities. The approval of the parliament is, for example, necessary with regard to the execution and objective of the structural fund. The Parliament makes decisions on education and social programmes and regional funds in close cooperation with the Council. The Parliament controls the Commission and can force it to retire through a vote of no confidence.
The Parliament sees itself as responsible for safeguarding European interests and civil rights. All citizens of the Union can direct a petition to the European Parliament on European matters. A large part of the parliamentary work takes place in the 20 parliamentary committees.
Of significance for the field of social, youth and health policies or humanitarian aid overseas and the work of volunteers are in particular the committees:
- Employment and social affairs
- Freedom and rights of the citizens, Justice and internal affairs
- Committee for foreign affairs, human rights, common security and defence policies,
- Committee for development and cooperation,
- Committee for questions of the environment, public health and consumer policies
- Committee for culture, youth, education, media and sport, and the budget committee
The political representation of interests can be carried out through
- Direct contacts and legwork to the members of parliament in connection with actual issues
- Preparation of parliamentary enquiries for members of parliament
- Parliamentary evenings
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