The European Parliament is the only directly-elected institution of the European Union (EU). Its 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected every five years by voters in all 28 EU member countries.The European Parliament has three main roles:

1. Legislative: The Parliament adopts European laws, together with the Council of the European Union. It has the power to approve or reject the European Commission's proposals for new legislation.

2. Supervisory: The Parliament supervises the work of the European Commission and other EU institutions. It has the power to approve or reject the Commission's annual budget.

3. Democratic: The Parliament ensures that the EU is accountable to European citizens. MEPs can question the Commission and other EU institutions, and they can put forward proposals for new laws.

The European Parliament plays a key role in the EU's decision-making process. MEPs work closely with the Commission and the Council to shape European policies.

The European Parliament is based in Strasbourg (France) and has offices in Brussels (Belgium) and Luxembourg (Luxembourg).

MEPs are organised into political groups. There are currently eight groups in the European Parliament:

- the European People's Party (EPP)
- the European Parliament's Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D)

- the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)
- the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)
- the European United Left - Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)
- the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA)
- the European United Right - European Conservatives and Reformists (ENF)
- the Non-Inscrits (NI)

MEPs can belong to more than one political group.

The European Parliament has a number of committees and sub-committees which examine specific policy areas in detail. MEPs can participate in the work of these committees.

The European Parliament also has a number of delegations which represent the Parliament in other countries and international organisations.

MEPs receive a basic monthly salary, which is paid out of the EU budget. MEPs can also claim allowances to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence.

MEPs are required to disclose their financial interests.

The European Parliament is a diverse and cosmopolitan institution. MEPs come from all 28 EU member countries, and they represent a wide range of political views.

The European Parliament is an important source of information for European citizens. MEPs are in regular contact with their constituents, and they hold public meetings and debates on European issues.

The European Parliament is an important forum for discussing and shaping European policies. MEPs play a vital role in holding the EU to account and in making the EU more democratic.