Election européenne - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. The European Parliament: The European Parliament is one of the seven institutions of the European Union and is directly elected by EU citizens every five years. It has the power to pass EU laws, approve the EU budget, and hold the European Commission accountable.
- 2. Number of seats: The European Parliament currently has 751 seats, with each EU country allocated a certain number of seats based on its population. Following Brexit, the number of seats will be reduced to 705 in the next European Parliament.
- 3. Voting system: The voting system for European Parliament elections varies by country, with some countries using proportional representation and others using a system of party lists or single transferable vote. In most countries, citizens must be at least 18 years old to vote.
- 4. European political parties: European political parties are alliances of national parties from different EU countries that share common values and goals. Some of the main European political parties include the European People's Party, the Party of European Socialists, and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
- 5. Spitzenkandidaten: The Spitzenkandidaten process, introduced in the 2014 European Parliament elections, involves each European political party nominating a lead candidate for the position of President of the European Commission. The candidate of the party that wins the most seats in the European Parliament is typically appointed as Commission President.
- 6. Brexit and the European Parliament: Following the UK's decision to leave the EU, the European Parliament will have 705 seats in the next term, down from 751. The remaining seats will be redistributed among the remaining EU countries, with some countries gaining additional seats.
- 7. Voter turnout: Voter turnout in European Parliament elections has historically been lower than in national elections, with an average turnout of around 42.6% in the 2014 elections. Efforts are being made to increase voter participation, including campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of the European Parliament.
- 8. European issues: The European Parliament has the power to legislate on a wide range of issues, including trade, immigration, environmental protection, and consumer rights. MEPs also play a key role in shaping the EU budget and holding the European Commission accountable.
- 9. Gender balance: Efforts have been made to improve gender balance in the European Parliament, with a target of at least 40% of seats being held by women. However, progress has been slow, with women currently making up around 37% of MEPs.
- 10. Role of MEPs: Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) represent the interests of EU citizens and work to pass legislation that benefits the European Union as a whole. They also play a key role in holding the European Commission accountable and representing the EU on the international stage.