What are the European Parliament’s powers? 

Subsequent EU treaty changes - especially 2009’s Lisbon Treaty - confer substantial legislative, budgetary and scrutiny powers to the European Parliament.

The Parliament is a co-legislator. In EU terms, this means it has the power to adopt and amend legislation while deciding upon the annual EU budget on an equal footing with the Council (Member States). It calls the Commission as well as other EU institutions and bodies to account.

Legislative powers

The vast majority of EU law passes through the ordinary legislative procedure (often referred to as “co-decision”, as it was previously known). It is the standard EU legislative decision-making process, giving equal weight to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (Member States). It applies to a wide range of areas such as migration, energy, transport, climate change, environment, consumer protection and economic governance.

“Consent” is another decision-making procedure. It means EP consent, or approval, is necessary and applies to issues like new EU Member State accession as well as for EU international trade agreements. The final decision on whether or not to approve an incoming College of Commissioners happens under consent.

“Consultation” is in use in policy areas like taxation, competition law and the Common Foreign and Security Policy. It allows the Parliament to approve or reject a legislative proposal, as well as suggest amendments to it. Though the Parliament's position does not bind the Council, the latter must consult the former and wait on its position before taking a decision. Not doing so would make an act illegal and expose it to potential annulment by the Court of Justice. Furthermore, when the Council substantially changes a proposal, it must consult the Parliament again.

What about legislative initiative? Who initiates EU law?

Although it is up to the Commission to table new EU laws, Parliament can take the initiative by requesting that the Commission submit a legislative proposal. When making use of "legislative initiative", MEPs may set a deadline for the submission of a proposal. If the Commission refuses to, it must explain why.

Delegated/implementing acts

When adopting a new law, the Parliament and Council can instruct the Commission to make minor additions or changes like technical annexes or updates either through delegated acts (which supplement or amend parts of the law) or implementing acts (giving details on how to implement the law). In this way, legislation can remain simple and up-to-date without having to start new negotiations.

Depending on the type of act that the Commission adopts, MEPs have different options at their disposal if they disagree with the measures put forward. MEPs have a veto right for delegated acts.

On implementing acts, MEPs can ask the Commission to amend or withdraw them, though the Commission has no legal obligation to do this.