What does an MEP do?

The role of an MEP is to represent the interests of their constituency in the European Parliament.  MEPs therefore divide their working lives between their regional constituencies and specialist policy committee and political group meetings in Brussels.

For one week in every month MEPs come together in full session in Strasbourg where we debate and vote on legislation.  MEPs have the power to amend, approve or reject proposals for new EU laws which directly affect many aspects of our lives.  Policies cover issues such as the environment, consumer protection, transport, education, culture and health.

MEPs have a number of other roles such as helping to appoint positions such as the President and members of the European Commission.  MEPs hold the European Commission to account and have the power to force it to resign.  Additionally, MEPs decide on the EU?s budget and influence how EU money is spent. 

Parliamentary Calendar

The general format is that the Parliament is based in Strasbourg for one week per month and in Brussels for the remainder of the time.   There is usually a break of six weeks in the summer, and two weeks at Christmas.

Download the current parliamentary calendar >>
 
Full sessions (red) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg usually mean MEPs will be there from Monday to Thursday

Mini-sessions (red) are sessions of the European Parliament based in Brussels, usually a Wednesday and Thursday.  

Group weeks (blue) are periods when the political groups e.g. The European Parliamentary Labour Party meet.  These meetings take place in Brussels, in the week immediately prior to full sessions in Strasbourg.

Committee weeks (pink) are when the various committees of the European Parliament (e.g. Employment and Social Affairs committee) meet in Brussels. Although these are generally shown as full weeks, an individual Committee will generally meet over two or three days.