The European Parliament is elected every five years, with the next elections due to be held over four days from June 6-9. 720 seats are up for grabs. Parliament with blocking (and amending) power Compared to a national parliament, the European Parliament’s powers are fairly limited. It cannot propose new EU laws – only the unelected European Commission can do that. But the parliament can block most draft legislation. It also has the power to reject EU member states’ nominees for the key position of commission president and the other 26 commissioners. The parliament has never rejected a nominee…