The European Parliament plays an essential role in EU decision-making as a co-legislator together with the Council. The vast majority of European laws are adopted jointly by the Parliament and the Council, following a proposal by the European Commission. The procedure is known as the ordinary legislative procedure or co-decision.

If the Commission decides that legislative action is needed, the initiative will pass through a number of stages before it officially becomes an EU law. Most EU laws are adopted by what is known as the ordinary legislative procedure, which involves the European Parliament and Council as co-legislators.

EU policies are typically decided through the ordinary legislative procedure (formerly known as the ‘co-decision’ procedure). This is a process where the three main institutions come to agreement on legislation.