In June 2024, around 400 million EU citizens go to the polls to elect the Members of the European Parliament's 10th legislature. As the only EU institution that represents EU citizens, elections to the European Parliament are a major democratic event, and the only one at EU level that resembles national democratic electoral consultation. European elections, however, differ from the national version, as they are part of a context of multi-tier government, sometimes perceived as 'second order elections'. The main difference is that the European elections are a rather fragmented exercise, since a great part of the electoral process, including the way in which the right to vote is exercised, remains subject to national rules.

EPRS Policy Podcast - European elections 2024: Rules of a pan-European democratic event

Čas je za volitve! Več milijonov Evropejcev bo letos med 6. in 9. junijem glasovalo na evropskih volitvah in tako sooblikovalo prihodnost Evropske unije. Evropski parlament je edini neposredno izvoljeni organ Evropske unije, te volitve pa so eden največjih demokratičnih dogodkov na svetu. V tej epizodi si bomo podrobneje ogledali delovanje volilnega sistema in kako lahko z glasovanjem vplivate na izid volitev.

Evropske volitve: kako deluje volilni sistem?

Gender-balanced representation among the decision-makers of the European Union is an important step towards full realisation of the principle of equality between women and men enshrined in the EU Treaties. The Union has made steady and significant progress, starting from a very low presence of women among EU Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament at the time when those institutions were created. The European Parliament is today one of the world's most gender-balanced representative assemblies, but there are still significant divergences between EU countries.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Towards gender balance in the European elections: Electoral quotas

The coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on our lives, our economies, our societies but also on electoral processes around the world, with many elections being postponed in order to protect citizens’ health. But this involves a delicate balancing act between ensuring the democratic right to vote and a government’s responsibility to protect public health. So, what can we learn from experience?

EPRS policy podcast - Impact of the pandemic on elections around the world: From safety concerns to political crises

Nič novega ni, da so evropske volitve pred vrati. Vendar morda niste vedeli, da lahko volite in kandidirate na evropskih volitvah ne glede na to, kje v EU živite.

Kaj Evropa počne za volivce na evropskih volitvah?

Ali verjamete, da je demokracija ključna za svetovno varnost in vsesplošno spoštovanje človekovih pravic? Ali bi želeli sodelovati pri demokratizaciji sveta?

Kaj Evropa počne za opazovalce volitev?

On 19 March 1958, the European Parliamentary Assembly hold a first meeting in Strasbourg. Luciano GRANZOTTO BASSO, Oldest member of the Assembly leads the election. The representatives elect Robert Schuman as President. He is the single candidate at the function.

Constitutive session of the European Parliamentary Assembly: election of Robert SCHUMAN, as President of the Assembly

The 1979 European elections were parliamentary elections held across all 9 (at the time) European Community member states.

They were the first European elections to be held, allowing citizens to elect 410 MEPs to the European Parliament, and also the first international election in history. Seats in the Parliament had been allocated to the states according to population, and in some cases were divided into constituencies, but members sat according to political groups.

40th Anniversary of the first elections to the European Parliament by direc

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

Election observation is a highly visible demonstration of the European Union's commitment to supporting democracy and promoting human rights around the world.

It contributes to strengthening democratic institutions, building public confidence in electoral processes, helping to deter fraud, intimidation and violence, especially in fragile, post-conflict or developing regions. It also complements other key EU foreign policy objectives, particularly peace-building.

International election observation

Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Because MEPs are the EU's only directly elected representatives, their contribution is essential. With personal experience of campaigns, issues of financing and the work of representing citizens, MEPs bring political legitimacy to observation missions.

Over more than three decades, the European Parliament has observed several hundred elections. Every year, MEPs travel to as many as a dozen countries across the world.
Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Election Observation Missions

On Wednesday 18 January 2023, in a secret vote, Marc ANGEL (S&amp;D, LU) received an absolute majority of votes cast and was elected to the office of European Parliament Vice-President.

Election of the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament

During the plenary session in November II 2019, Ursula von der Leyen,&nbsp;President-elect of the EC, presents her team and programme. Parliament voted the entire list of candidates proposed by the President-elect and the Council by simple majority in a roll call vote. The college of Commissioners and their programme is approved. Results of the vote: 461 in favour, 157 against and 89 abstentions.

Parliament’s Conference of Presidents declared the Commissioner-designate hearings process complete on Thursday 21 November 2019.

The new European Commission officially takes up its duties on 1 December 2019.

Election of the 2019-2024 Commission

Between 23 and 26 May, European citizens will be called upon to cast their votes for their representatives in the European Parliament. 
The elections this year coincide with the 40th anniversary of the first elections to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, which were held in June 1979 in the nine countries that were then members of the European Community. The Historical Archives of the European Parliament, guardians of the Parliament’s memory, are celebrating this 40th anniversary by sharing online some of its collection of the institutional electoral posters that were produced between 1979 and 2014 to inform European citizens about the importance of voting.

European elections - Archives of the European Parliament

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 16:9 You Tube

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 4:5

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 1:1

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 9:16

European Elections 2024 for Innovative Media

Presentation of final Eurobarometer survey data of public opinion before 2024 elections

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission statements - New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Commission Statement - Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories

Media seminar with EditoRED on Democracy: the role of the media, European Elections 2024

Press conference on European Elections- What Future on anti-racism in Europe

All together for European Elections 2024 - Follow up event

Media seminar - Safeguarding Democracy: the role of the media - European Elections 2024

Event Protecting the 2024 Elections : From Alarm to Action

Media Seminar- The Green Deal and its impact on national and European elections

2024 European elections campaign - big-sized European Elections visuals

Memorandum of Understanding ahead of the European Elections: Signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Vasco ALVES CORDEIRO, President of the CoR and Nadia CALVIÑO, President of the EIB

Signing Ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding Cooperation in the Run-Up to the 2024 European Elections with the European Economic and Social Committee

2024 European elections campaign - ' 100 days ahead of the Elections ' display outside the Parlementarium in Brussels

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night 

First publication of available national estimates

Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Netherlands

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night -   First publication of available national estimates   Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Netherlands

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night (with International Sign and Velotype)

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night

Official launch of the European Elections Night 2024 by Jaume DUCH, Spokeperson of the European Parliament, Delphine COLARD, Deputy Spokesperson and by Philipp SCHULMEISTER, Director for Campaigns

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night  - Official launch of the European Elections Night 2024 by Jaume DUCH, Spokeperson of the European Parliament, Delphine COLARD, Deputy Spokesperson and by Philipp SCHULMEISTER, Director for Campaigns

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night

Briefing on All you need to know about Parliament and election night

EU Elections 2024 - Eurovision Debate – Candidates to the Presidency of the European Commission (with International Language and Velotype)

EU Elections 2024 - Eurovision Debate – Candidates to the Presidency of the European Commission (with International Sign and Velotype)

Debate of the candidates to the presidency of the Commission – EU Elections 2024

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections

Media seminar – Safeguarding Democracy: the role of the media / European Elections 2024

Women in the 'super-election year' 2024: silenced or empowered?

100 days ahead of the Elections

Why Russia's 2024 presidential "election” matters? A discussion with the Russia opposition

Press conference by Sven SIMON and Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, rapporteurs on the European Elections 2024 report

EYE2023 closing plenary: The road to the 2024 European Elections

EYE2023 - European elections 2024: Time to vote!

Press briefing on the EYE and One year ahead of the elections

One Year Ahead Event - Presentation of the EP Spring Eurobarometer data on public opinion toward the EU and the 2024 Elections.

Joint Press Conference of the Election Observation Mission to Montenegro

EP Press Briefing - European Elections 2024

European Elections Night 2024

First estimate EU turnout. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections Night 2024 - First estimate EU turnout

First publication of available national estimates from Romania, Poland, Portugal and Sweden at 21.40. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections Night 2024 - First publication of available national estimates from Romania, Poland, Portugal and Sweden

First publication of available national estimates with updates from Denmark, France, Spain at 20:30. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections Night 2024 - First publication of available national estimates from Denmark, France and Spain

First European Parliament's projection (based on available national estimates and pre-election polls) presented by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson of the European Parliament. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections Night 2024 - First European Parliament's projection (based on available national estimates and pre-election polls) presented by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson of the European Parliament

Roberta METSOLA, EP President arrival at the European Parliament in Brussels for the European Elections night. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President arrives at the European Parliament in Brussels for the European Elections night

First publication of available national estimates from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta at 19.20. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections Night 2024 - First publication of available national estimates from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta

First publication of available national estimates from Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece and Malta at 18.40. On Sunday 9th June 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections Night 2024 - First publication of available national estimates from Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece and Malta at 18.40

This news item shows people going to a polling station in Munich (Germany). A total of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be elected (96 of them are elected in Germany) during the European Elections which are held on 6-9 of June 2024. The European Parliament is the world’s only directly elected transnational assembly. The MEPs represent the interests of EU citizens at the European level and together with representatives of the governments of EU countries, MEPs shape and decide on new laws that influence all aspects of lives across the European Union, from supporting the economy and the fight against poverty to climate change and security.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Munich (Germany)

This news item shows citizens voting in the European elections in Rosu, Romania, on 9 June 2024. By voting in the European elections, citizens in Romania, and in all other EU Member States, elect their representatives to the European Parliament. In Romania, voters will elect 33 Members of the European Parliament in 2024. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. European Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union. Provisional results of the elections will be published on the evening of 9 June.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Rosu (Romania)

This news item shows citizens in Bulgaria voting in the European elections in the "Alexander S. Pushkin" Secondary School No 133 in Sofia on 9 June 2024. In addition, the item includes footage about the historical buildings of the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the National Palace of Culture. Anyone aged 18 or over can cast a vote provided they have resided in Bulgaria or another EU country for at least three months prior to the elections. Voting is compulsory for Bulgarian citizens. Voters will elect 17 Members of the European Parliament from the Republic of Bulgaria in 2024. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. The Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station located near the National Palace of Culture in Sofia (Bulgaria)

This footage shows citizens voting in the European elections in Chartres, France, on 9 June 2024. Voters in France will elect 81 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, two more than in the 2019 elections. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. European Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union. Provisional results will be published on the evening of 9 June.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Chartres (France)

This footage shows citizens voting in the European elections in Rennes, France, on 9 June 2024. Voters in France will elect 81 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, two more than in the 2019 elections. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. European Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union. Provisional results of the elections will be published on the evening of 9 June.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Rennes (France)

This footage shows citizens voting the European elections in Luxembourg city center on 9 June 2024. Any Luxembourger nationals or EU citizens residing in Luxembourg aged 18 or over can cast a vote. Voters in Luxembourg will elect 6 Members of the European Parliament in 2024. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. The European Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Luxembourg city center

This news item show an event organised for the European elections at the Democracy Garage facilities in Copenhagen on 9 June 2024. In the European elections, anyone aged 18 or over can vote, if they have residency in Denmark and hold either the Danish citizenship or the citizenship of another EU country. Voters in Denmark will elect 15 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, one more than in the 2019 elections. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. The Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of an event for the European Elections (Denmark)

This news item shows a first-time voter going to a polling station in Vienna, Austria, on 0 June 2024. In addition, the footage illustrates the capital city Vienna. A total of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be elected (20 of them are elected in Austria) in the European Elections. The European Parliament is the world’s only directly elected transnational assembly. The MEPs represent the interests of EU citizens at the European level, and, together with representatives of the governments of EU countries, MEPs shape and decide on new laws that influence all aspects of lives across the European Union, from supporting the economy and the fight against poverty to climate change and security.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of a first-time-voter and beauty shots in Vienna (Austria)

This news item shows Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President and Lead candidate for the European People's Party, casting her vote in Lower Saxony region (Germany). A total of 720 MEPs are elected (96 of them are elected in Germany) during the European Elections which are held on 6-9 of June 2024. Ahead of the elections, the European Parliament confirmed the importance of applying the lead candidate mechanism (the “Spitzenkandidaten” process), in which European political parties designate their respective candidates for the post of EU Commission President. The aim is to allow citizens to influence directly, through their vote in the European elections, the choice of the head of the European executive.

European Elections 2024 - Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President and Lead candidate for the European People's Party voting in Lower Saxony (Germany)

Opening by Jaume DUCH, Spokesperson of the European Parliament EP Spokesman and Director General for Communication, Delphine COLARD, Deputy Spokesperson and by Philipp SCHULMEISTER, Director for Campaigns. On Sunday 9thJune 2024, the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels transforms into a press room on the occasion of the election night. Over several hours, journalists from all over Europe follow the results thanks to national estimates and exit polling data. From 6 to 9 June 2024, around 360 million Europeans are called to the polls to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The constitutive session of the newly elected Parliament will take place in July, in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections Night 2024 - Opening by Jaume DUCH, Spokesperson of the European Parliament, Delphine COLARD, Deputy Spokesperson and by Philipp SCHULMEISTER, Director for Campaigns

This news item shows the atmosphere with media during the Election day in the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium (09/06/2024). Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

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