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The European Parliament in a nutshell

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The work of the European Parliament has a direct impact on citizens around Europe but who actually does what, where and how?

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There are 751 of them. They are Members of the European Parliament and they're elected for a five-year term to represent 508 million European citizens from across the 28 Member States.

The Parliament has two seats. Its formal seat is in Strasbourg where MEPs decamp for monthly plenary sessions. Its other seat is in Brussels where day-to-day groundwork and political and thematic group meetings take place. And finally, the Parliament's secretariat is based in Luxembourg. The European Parliament has three main powers: Legislative power. It passes European laws drawn up by the European Commission. It shares this power with the Council of the European Union which represents the Member States.

Budgetary power. Along with the Council, they approve and control the EU budget. Supervisory powers. To oversee other EU institutions and agencies. For example, MEPs hold hearings with nominees to the EU Commission and elect its President.

The European Parliament works closely with the European Commission, which draws up draft laws, and the 28 Member States via the Council of the European Union. From migration to food safety and data protection, the work of the European Parliament has a direct impact on the daily lives of citizens everywhere in the EU.

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Latest news and events

European Parliament Ambassador Schools

20-04-2018

MEP Francis Zammit Dimech and Acting Head of the EP Liaison Office in Malta, Anna Zammit presenting certificates to students
On the 12th and 13th April,  European Ambassador School students concluded another successful edition of this interactive learning programme about the European Union. EU Affairs Minister Helena Dalli and MEP Francis Zammit Dimech presented students with their award certificates.    
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International Women's Day 2018

05-03-2018

Women in the Media, Women in Politics
An event on gender equality in the political and media spheres, organised by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Malta took place at the University of Malta on Friday 2nd March 2018 and featured Maltese MEPs Roberta Metsola (EPP), Miriam Dalli (S&D) Francis Zammit Dimech (EPP), Marlene Mizzi (S&D), Sylvana Denobo, Editor-in-Chief RTK Radio and Brenda Murphy, Head of the Department of Gender Studies at the University of Malta. The event was moderated by Rachel Attard, Editor-in-Chief at Standard Publications.
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