EU Parliament marks 50th Anniversary

The European Parliament has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a birthday cake and family photo.

The European Parliament has celebrated its 50th  anniversary with a birthday cake and family photo. (CCTV.com)

The EU's assembly was founded in 1958 and has grown from 142 to 785 members. And the parliament's legislative powers have grown steadily since first being elected directly in 1979.

EU law-makers now set the rules for multi-billion US dollar industries, from telecommunications to energy.

As of next year, the parliament will have equal legislative powers with member states in virtually all policy areas under the terms of a new EU treaty.