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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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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