What is the European Parliament?

The European Parliament is an institution of the European Union, which is dual in nature:

> It is the only institution whose members are elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term in office.

> It is the only institution whose powers have been extended as the treaties have been signed.

The last European election took place from May 22nd to 25th 2014 in the 28 Member States of the European Union. European citizens were called to appoint 751 MEPs who will represent them until 2019.

Distribution of seats per country in 2014

Member States	Present Distribution per country (September 2013)	Proposal made by Constitutional Affairs Commitee for the 2014-2019 legislature
Germany	99	96
France	74	74
Italy	73	73
United Kingdom	73	73
Spain	54	54
Poland	51	51
Romania	33	32
Netherlands	26	26
Belgium	22	21
Greece	22	21
Hungary	22	21
Portugal	22	21
Czech Republic	22	21
Sweden	20	20
Austria	19	18
Bulgaria	18	17
Denmark	13	13
Finland	13	13
Slovakia	13	13
Ireland	12	11
Lithuania	12	11
Croatia	12	11
Latvia	9	8
Slovenia	8	8
Cyprus	6	6
Estonia	6	6
Luxembourg	6	6
Malta	6	6
Total	766	751