The elections for the European Parliament are only 3 months away. From 6 to 9 June 2024, EU citizens can vote and have their say on which Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) may represent them. By voting, EU citizens can influence the direction the EU takes on important topics, such as the environment, security, migration, social rights, and consumer rights. In addition, the results of the election influence who will become the President of the European Commission. This is important because the Commission proposes EU laws to the Parliament and the Council of the EU (Council).
Powers of the European Parliament
The European Parliament represents almost 450 million Europeans and is the only EU body that is elected directly by the people. This makes the elections for the European Parliament the only opportunity for EU citizens to directly influence how the EU decides on issues that affect their daily lives. The European Parliament defends freedom, equality, and the rule of law in the EU, and has the power to
- adopt laws, together with the Council
- change laws to improve them
- decide on the EU budget
- check the work of the EU institutions
Election dates and voting
The EU elections will take place from 6 to 9 June across all 27 EU countries. EU citizens can vote in their home country, in the EU country where they live or from abroad. EU citizens who want to vote from abroad may need to register in advance. The registration deadline varies per country.
For more detailed information on how and when to vote per country, please see How to vote in the European elections in 2024 (europa.eu). Here, you can select the country of voting to check the dates, voting conditions and registration deadlines.
European parties
During the elections, EU citizens can vote for members from national political parties to represent them in the European Parliament, which will consist of 720 members after the 2024 elections. The elected MEPs usually join a political group consisting of members from all EU countries who share the same beliefs. Currently, there are 7 political groups in the European Parliament:
- Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)
- Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
- Renew Europe Group
- Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
- European Conservatives and Reformists Group
- Identity and Democracy Group
- The Left group in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL
After the elections
After the election, the new MEPs will form political groups. In a first plenary session, the new European Parliament will choose its President. Then, the European Parliament will choose the President of the European Commission. It will also examine and approve the entire College of Commissioners, which will lead the European Commission for the next 5 years.
Updates from ECC-Net
The European Parliament election is an important topic for ECC-Net because the outcome determines the approach to consumer rights within the EU until 2029. Therefore, we will share information and news about the elections regularly. So, check back here regularly for updates on the elections and don’t forget to check out the website and social media of your local ECC for all the ins and outs of the elections for the European Parliament in your country.
