WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The number of MEPs for each country is roughly proportionate to its population, but this is by degressive proportionality: no country can have fewer than 6 or more than 96 MEPs and the total number cannot exceed 705 (704 plus the President). MEPs are grouped by political affiliation, not by nationality.

Detailed explanation-2: -Seat allocation is laid down in EU treaties. Countries with larger populations are assigned more seats than smaller ones, however, thanks to the principle of “degressive proportionality” less populous member states are allocated more seats per capita than bigger ones.

Detailed explanation-3: -Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and informally as the Council of Ministers), it adopts European legislation, following a proposal by the European Commission. The Parliament is composed of 705 members (MEPs).

Detailed explanation-4: -In principle, the Commission proposes new laws, and the Parliament and Council of the European Union adopt them. The member countries then implement them, and the Commission ensures that the laws are properly applied.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Parliament acts as a co-legislator, sharing with the Council the power to adopt and amend legislative proposals and to decide on the EU budget. It also supervises the work of the Commission and other EU bodies and cooperates with national parliaments of EU countries to get their input.