What is Committees of the European Parliament?

The Committees of the European Parliament are designed to aid the European Commission in initiating legislation.

Standing Committees are made up of Members of the European Parliament , who are directly elected to the seats in the European Parliament by the electorate. Each Committee has a chairman and four vice-chairmen, along with numerous committee members. Each committee also has substitute members.

Reports are usually compiled by a rapporteur, who is appointed by the chairman of the committee, selected from amongst the members or permanent substitutes.