EP is a fundamentally a weaker body than its name suggests. The European Council can keep proposing pretty much the same law over and over again until they get a pliant EP that will accept it.

Once accepted, it's almost impossible to repeal the law by the EP because they will need the approval of the EC and Council of the EU, both of which have members that are not directly elected by the people. EC and Council of the EU is also that body which so far has proven to be far more authoritarian in it's approach.

So, the parent is largely correct.