The European Parliament, often called "Europarl," is one of the primary legislative bodies of the European Union. It represents the citizens of EU member states and works alongside the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to create legislation, approve budgets, and oversee other EU institutions. Its members, known as MEPs (Members of the European Parliament), are elected directly by EU citizens every five years. The Parliament is headquartered in Strasbourg, France, with additional offices in Brussels, Belgium, and Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. It plays a vital role in shaping EU policies on a range of issues from economic matters to climate change.