The first act of a new European Parliament is to elect its President. Candidates for the Presidency may be proposed either by a political group or by a minimum of 38 MEPs . The election is held by secret ballot. To be elected, a candidate must win an absolute majority of the valid votes cast, i.e. 50% plus one.

If no candidate is elected at the first ballot, the same or other candidates may be nominated for a second round of voting under the same conditions. This can be repeated at a third round if necessary, again with the same rules.

If no-one is elected at the third ballot, the two highest-scoring candidates in that round proceed to a fourth ballot, where the one receiving the greater number of votes wins. (Should there be a tie at this stage, the older candidate is declared the winner).

Election of the President of the European Parliament

The Presidential Debate - EU Elections 2019 takes place on 15 May at 21.00 CET. It is an opportunity to discover where the lead candidates stand on a range of issues.

Political parties put forward candidates for the post of president of the European Commission ahead of the European elections. The lead candidate nominated by the Council, and able to command a majority in Parliament, will be elected President of the European Commission by a vote of Parliament.

The lead candidates are sometimes referred to by the German term spitzenkandidaten. This system was first used in 2014 to select current Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate - EU elections 2019

In May, hundreds of millions of citizens will elect a new European Parliament. EU citizens will carefully evaluate candidates and programmes, before making choices that will shape the future of our continent and our role in the world for years to come.

Election Days - 23-26 May 2019

The leaders’ talks on nominations for the EU's top jobs will continue at the Special European Council on 30 June 2019.

EU leaders discussed the possible candidates for the top positions in the EU at the June European Council, but did not conclude. The European Council plays a major part in appointing high-profile EU-level roles. In 2019 it will elect the European Council President, nominate a candidate for the President of the European Commission, appoint the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and decide on the President of the European Central Bank. They will all take office before the end of the year.

Special meeting of the European Council, 30/06/2019

European Parliament Press Seminar - A new political agenda for Europe: The priorities of the European parliament group leaders

European Parliament Press Seminar - A new political agenda for Europe: The priorities of the European parliament group leaders.

Sira REGO - GUE Candidate to the Presidency of the European Parliament

European Parliament group leaders statements following the extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024)", learn what are the different roles of the EP. The clip illustrates citizens going to vote in 2019. National estimates show that, on the election dates in 2024 the highest numbers of eligible voters are expected in Germany (64.9 million persons), France (49.7 million) and Italy (47 million). The lowest numbers are expected in Malta (0.4 million), Luxembourg (0.5 million) and Cyprus (0.7 million). In 2024, 16 years old citizens in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Malta will be able to go to vote for the first time.

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - The European elections in the member states (2019)

During the plenary session (10-13 February 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mairead McGUINNESS (EPP, IE), EP Vice-President holds a minute of silence for the Foibe victims, and she welcomes the new MEPs, following Brexit.

Introductory remarks by Mairead McGUINNESS (EPP, IE), EP Vice-President: minute of silence for the Foibe victims and welcome of the new MEPs

Composition of the European Parliament after the Brexit - Provisional composition - Pie chart/Camembert Provisional 1/02/2020

Composition of the European Parliament after the Brexit - Provisional composition

Composition of the European Parliament after the Brexit. As of 1 February, the number and distribution of seats in the Parliament changes following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The European Parliament will have 705 seats, compared with 751 (the maximum allowed under the EU treaties) before the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on 31 January 2020. Of the UK’s 73 seats, 27 have been redistributed to other countries, while the remaining 46 will be kept in reserve for potential future enlargements.

Composition of the European Parliament after the Brexit: provisional composition

During the plenary session (25-28 November 2019 ) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate with Vera JUROVA on the Interference from other countries in our democracies and elections. Statements by Caroline VOADEN (RE, UK), Tytti TUPPURAINEN, Finnish Minister for European Affairs, and Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President-designate, Values and Transparency.

Interference from other countries in our democracies and elections: extracts from the debate

David SASSOLI, EP President, opens the press seminar for journalists from Member States "A new political agenda for Europe: the priorities of the European Parliament group leaders", organised by the EP Press Service, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

"A new political agenda for Europe: the priorities of the European Parliament group leaders" - EP Press seminar: opening remarks by David SASSOLI, EP President

During the plenary session (15-18 July) in Strasbourg, Dacian CIOLOȘ (RE, RO), RE Group leader, speaks to the press about the vote on the Candidate for President of the European Commission.

Press conference by Dacian CIOLOȘ (RE, RO), RE Group leader, on the vote on the Candidate for President of the European Commission

Live Replay of the debate on the election of the President of the European Commission: statement by Ursula von der LEYEN and MEPs debate during the plenary session inStrasbourg (15-18/07/2019)

2019 European elections (T)

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