The European Parliament elections commence this week — the first since Brexit.
They offer an opportunity for people to decide on the direction of the European Union (EU) and form policies on issues such as democracy, human rights, and environmental protection.
This year’s key themes are how to make the European Union’s ambitious climate and environment plans compatible with the interests of workers such as farmers and traditional industrial manufacturers; Russia’s war on Ukraine; and the recent migration and asylum pact.
So what is the European Parliament, how do the elections work, when are they, and who can vote?
Here’s all you need to know.
What is the European Parliament and what does it do?
The European Parliament is the world's only transnational assembly chosen directly by the people.
More than 700 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) represent nearly 450 million EU citizens, ensuring their voices are heard on issues that impact their daily lives. These MEPs debate, shape, and pass laws on many topics, acting as defenders of freedom, equality, and the rule of law throughout the EU.
They even hold significant power, electing the president of the European Commission and ensuring all EU institutions function properly.
By controlling how the EU budget is spent, MEPs play a vital role in shaping the union’s future.
What are the European elections?
Citizens of EU countries elect their representatives as MEPs.
The European elections are one of the biggest democratic votes in the world.
Every five years, voters choose more than 700 MEPs. Once elected, they sit in political groups based on shared beliefs.
When are the 2024 European elections?
The European Parliament elections will take between Thursday, June 6, and Sunday, June 9.
The last elections took place in May 2019.
Who can vote in the European elections?
British citizens cannot vote as the UK is no longer a part of the EU following Brexit.
As per the European elections’ official website, it is up to each country to manage the election, but they must apply some common principles:
- Elections take place during four days, from Thursday to Sunday.
- The number of MEPs elected from a political party is proportional to the number of votes it receives.
- EU citizens living in another EU country can vote and stand for election there.
- Each citizen can vote only once.
You must be registered to vote and each EU nation determines the minimum voting age.
In Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Malta, this age is 16; in Greece, it is 17; and in the other EU members, it is 18.
How many seats are there in the European Parliament?
The 705 MEPs are chosen from among the 27 EU member states. Following the June 2024 elections, there will be 720 seats in the EU due to changes in the country's demographics since the 2019 elections.
There are more seats in the hemicycle chamber for larger countries. The French have 81 seats and the Germans have 96, with only six seats each going to MEPs from Malta, Cyprus, and Luxembourg.
Turnout is usually lower for these elections than national European elections, posing a serious challenge to the EU's authority. Compared with the wealthier northern and western nations, Central and Eastern Europe usually has lower voter turnout for EU elections. The previous election saw a rise in turnout that, although encouraging, only represented slightly more than half of all eligible voters in the EU.
What are the polls showing?
The polls clearly show a sharp shift to the right. Marine Le Pen's National Rally is expected to win easily in France, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats and the populist Alternative for Germany are tied for second place.
This suggests that the EU's environmental priorities may shift during the next five years in favour of more help for manufacturing, security, and agriculture — and a more restrictive immigration policy.
For more information on the elections, visit the official website here.
