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European Parliament Elections

Around 373 million citizens across the 27 member states of the European Union are eligible to vote on June 6-9 in elections to the European Parliament.

About European Parliament

  • About: The European Parliament (EP) is the only directly elected body of the EU, representing the citizens of its member states. 
  • Functions: Its primary functions include negotiating EU laws with the member state governments, which are represented by the European Council. 
    • The EP also approves the EU budget and votes on international agreements and enlargements of the bloc.
  • Powers: The EP also approves the EU budget and votes on international agreements and enlargements of the bloc. 
    • It also has the power to approve or reject the appointment of the European Commission president 
    • Unlike national parliaments, the EP does not have the right to propose laws but can only negotiate those proposed by the executive European Commission.
  • Structure: The EP comprises 720 Members (MEPs) elected every five years. The MEPs then elect their president for a term of two and a half years. 

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European Council

  • About: The European Council sets the EU’s political direction and priorities.
  • Members:  It includes the heads of state or government from member countries, the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs. 
  • Founding: Established as an informal summit in 1975, it became an official institution with the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009. Decisions are made by consensus.

Eligibility Conditions For Voting in European Parliament Elections 

  • Voting Age Requirements: In 21 member states, people aged 18 and above can vote. 
    • In Belgium, Germany, Austria and Malta, the minimum voting age is 16. 
    • In Greece, people who turn 17 during the election year can vote
    • In Hungary, married individuals can vote regardless of age
  • EU Voting Abroad Rules: EU citizens can vote in their country of origin or from abroad.  Voting from abroad is permitted in all member states except Czechia, Ireland, Malta and Slovakia. 
    • In Bulgaria and Italy that right applies only to those living within the EU.
    • Citizens living in another EU country can choose to vote for candidates either from their country of origin or from their country of residence.
  • One-Country Voting Rule: The voter has to choose which country’s MEPs he or she will vote for, but it is not legal to vote in both countries at the same time.

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Process of Voting in European Parliament Elections 

  • Voting System: In some member states, voters can only choose closed lists that do not allow change of order for preferred candidates, while in others they can select individual candidates in a preferential system.
  • Methods of Voting: Depending on national laws, some electors abroad can vote at their national embassies, via mail or electronically.

Eligibility of Candidates in European Parliament Elections 

  • Selection of Candidates: All candidates must be EU citizens. Voters may choose from individual candidates or political parties’ delegates, depending on the country.
  • Alignment in European Parliament: Once elected, politicians from each nation will flow into the European groups that form the Parliament, based on political orientations.
  • Restrictions : Elected individuals cannot hold functions in national governments or other political bodies such as the EU Commission.
  • MEP Allocation: The number of MEPs elected from each EU country is agreed before each election and is based on the principle of degressive proportionality, which means each MEP from a larger country represents more people than an MEP from a smaller country. 
    • The minimum number of MEPs from any country is six and the maximum number is 96.

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India-EU Relation

  • Financial Relations: The EU was India’s third-largest trading partner in 2021. EU foreign direct investment (FDI) in India reached €87 billion in 2020.
    • Nearly 15% of Indian exports were directed to the EU in 2021.
    • Trade in goods and services between the two amounted to €95.5 billion in 2020.
    • The European Investment Bank (EIB) has invested over €3 billion in infrastructure, energy, and climate projects in India.
  • Strategic Partnerships: EU-India Joint Declarations have been adopted to bolster efforts on connectivity, water, and resource efficiency, employing a circular economy approach. 
    • In 2023, the EU and India also launched a Trade and Technology Council focusing on digital transformation and green technologies.
  • Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation: Under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe), India is set to receive €90 million in grant funding for the period 2021-2027.
    •  Additionally, India is a beneficiary of various multi-country EU programmes.

 

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Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
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Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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