736 MEPs debate issues that affect all of us. European laws are voted in the hemicycle. This huge assembly is organised in a very particular way.

Backstage: The hemicycle, the heart of the European Parliament

Hi! The hemicycle is central to   the European Parliament,

but it's nothing to do   with half a bicycle.

Each month 736 MEPs meet in the   hemicycle in Strasbourg and in Brussels.

Here they debate issues that affect   all of us and vote on European laws.

All the action takes place   in the hemicycle.

And it will be   the starting point of our visit.

All democratic countries   that respect citizens' rights

function because   of the work of parliamentarians,

who represent citizens   in their regions or countries,

To make laws MEPs meet regularly   in the same place, known to everyone.

They give speeches and vote on behalf   of citizens. This place is the hemicycle.

Like a huge circus without the big top,   MEPs sit in an enormous semicircle.

The European Union has its own   hemicycle. Actually, it has two.

One in Strasbourg in France,   the other in Brussels, Belgium.

Today, 736 MEPs from the 27 countries   in the EU sit in the European Parliament.

It is the only   democratic assembly in the world

in which as many countries and   languages are represented - a record.

The European Parliament represents   more than 493 million citizens.

To ensure things work well   each MEP knows where to sit.

MEPs who have   similar political ideas sit together.

Each political family shares views   on matters that affect European citizens.

In the hemicycle MEPs sit according to   their political group from left to right.

The smallest parties   sit on the fringes of the semicircle.

The heads of the groups sit at the front   in the centre and set the pace.

Sometimes debate   is heated in the hemicycle.

More than one dispute between   MEPs has taken place in it.

Only the EP's president can keep   tempers calm and regulate debates.

For months MEPs negotiate and vote on   European laws affecting all the EU states.

This huge assembly votes on subjects   as different as health,

Once voted, these rules must be   applied in all of the EU's 27 states.

Every five years European citizens   choose new MEPs to represent them.

But the EP's hemicycle is more than just   political debate and voting laws.

Important people come here to speak   and not just from Europe.

It's a stage for great causes, international   prizes, and musical and cultural events

because the European Parliament's   hemicycle is the people's palace.

That's it for our visit to the hemicycle.   Goodbye and see you soon.