What is the purpose of the European Parliament? Why is the role of the European Parliament likely to expand?

What will be an ideal response?

The European Parliament currently comprises 748 representatives elected in national elections to serve five-year terms. Seats are allocated in rough proportion to a country's population, although the smaller states (Malta, Cyprus, Luxembourg) are overrepresented on that basis. Of the EU's governing bodies, the Parliament was originally the weakest. Initially it had only a consultative role in EU policy making. However, it has used its budgetary powers to enlarge its influence within the EU's governing institutions, and it also gained additional powers under the Maastricht, Amsterdam, Nice, and Lisbon Treaties. The role of the European Parliament is likely to expand because many Europeans are concerned about the lack of accountability in the EU's programs and the lack of democracy in its decision-making processes.