European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
European elections
2019 European elections: National rules
This Infographic contains up-to-date information on key data concerning the forthcoming European elections (to be held in 2019). In a one-page format, readers can find information of the Election day, the voting systems adopted at Member States’ level, as well as on rules governing eligibility and allocation of seats. Most importantly, the infographic takes into account the re-distribution of seats following on the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, and the overall reduction of total number of seats to 705. Further, more in-depth analysis is available on the second page of the infographic. Continue reading
European elections [Ten issues to watch in 2018]
The next European elections – for the ninth elected term – will be held in May/June 2019. But the European Parliament elections struggle to be truly ‘European’ rather than ‘national’ in both form and substance. Continue reading
European elections: Past and Future
Written by Richard Freedman, In the opening remarks of the roundtable discussion on the European elections: past and future, held in the Brussels Library Reading Room, Vice-President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness touched on the fact that citizens wanted a better definition of what was meant by ‘more Europe’. In fact, often what was … Continue reading
The Reform of the Electoral Law of the European Union: European Added Value Assessment accompanying the legislative own-initiative Report
Written by Monika Nogaj and Eva-Maria Poptcheva Although the Treaties foresee the possibility of a uniform electoral procedure, elections to the European Parliament are determined by national electoral rules, which differ considerably from one Member State to the next. The discrepancies in national procedures make for a very complex overall process of electing Members of … Continue reading
A year of change: the European Parliament in 2014
Written by Nicole Zandi Our role in the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) is to support parliamentary debate through ensuring Members are well-informed, in particular through our online and printed products. This year’s European election, and start of the eighth parliamentary term, has put us to the test. To mark the occasion the EPRS team … Continue reading
Historical Archives – 2014 at a glance
Written by Alexandra Devantier 2014 was an exciting year of rebranding and new visibility for the Historical Archives (formerly known as Archive and Documentation Centre, CARDOC), now part of the European Parliamentary Research Services. Through publications, events, exhibitions and info sessions we bring the fascinating world of our archives closer to all those willing to learn more about the … Continue reading
In Focus: EU institutions
Written by Nicole Zandi Since the European Parliament elections in May and the new Commission taking office in November; an atmosphere of change in the EU institutions has highlighted 2014 as an important year. So far we have seen widespread aspirations to create a more balanced, fairer and transparent EU, which is perhaps a good … Continue reading
European Parliament: Facts and Figures
Written by Giulio Sabbati, Updated on 11 April 2018 This Briefing, published by the European Parliamentary Research Service, is designed to provide key facts and figures about the European Parliament, both today – during the current 2014 to 2019 parliamentary term – and in the seven previous terms since direct elections were introduced in June … Continue reading
L’élection de Simone Veil
Simone Veil et les 1ères élections directes du PE En juin 1979 pour la première fois les citoyens des neuf pays membres élisent au suffrage universel direct leurs députés européens. Le scrutin de liste nationale “à la proportionnelle” adopté en France est propice à l’intégration des femmes sur les listes proposées par les partis. Le … Continue reading
Direct European Elections : The history of the right to vote
With this 8th edition of the European elections in 2014, European Union citizens will once more have the opportunity to vote for their representatives in the European Parliament. The first EP elections took place in 1979, but the discussion on the importance of active participation of citizens of the Member States already began in the … Continue reading
Elections Week
It comes as no surprise that this week our blog will focus on the European elections. However, to take a slightly different angle on this hot topic, the EPRS Historical Archives have prepared a number of posts based on the elections of the past. The elections next week will be only the 8th since the … Continue reading
Topics and links − March 2014
How did the European Parliament react to the Russian invasion of Crimea? How can I vote in the upcoming European elections, even if I live abroad? Answers to these questions or other citizens’ concerns can be found by consulting our selection of links below. The following topics are based on questions and comments from citizens … Continue reading
Social media in election campaigning
Low engagement of citizens in politics and ever declining voter turnout are taken as evidence of a democratic deficit in the European Union. By providing a new form of communication among politicians and citizens, social media may provide a way of increasing citizen involvement in political life, especially during election campaigns. Social media allow political actors, particularly smaller … Continue reading
European electoral reform – no change to the status quo
This EPRS Keysource has been created in June 2011 and last updated in March 2014 The Treaty on European Union contains a mandate for the European Parliament to put forward a proposal for a uniform procedure for European elections or an electoral procedure in accordance with principles common to all Member States. Parliament has continuously … Continue reading
Turnout in European elections
The turnout at European Parliament elections is often the subject of debate. Whilst turnout has declined in successive European elections since the first in 1979 to the most recent in 2004, the charts in this briefing put that into the context of the parallel declines in turnout in national parliamentary elections in EU Member States … Continue reading
Electoral thresholds in European elections. Developments in Germany
The procedure for elections to the European Parliament (EP) features only a limited set of principles common to all Member States (MS). There is no ‘harmonisation’ of electoral thresholds, but MS may establish thresholds of no more than 5%. In November 2012, the European Parliament adopted a resolution inter alia calling on MS to establish … Continue reading
Topics of interest – January 2014
How does the European Parliament react to the political crisis in Ukraine? Will the Parliament defend our values in the free trade agreement with the US? Answers to these questions or other citizens’ concerns can be found by consulting our selection of links below. The following topics of interest are based on questions and comments from … Continue reading
2014 European elections: national rules
Updated on 10/04/2014 This InfoGraphic looks at the forthcoming European elections, comparing key data for each Member State. The elections to the next European Parliament will be held in all EU Member States between 22 and 25 May 2014. Election day (in some Member States still subject to confirmation) is set by each Member State … Continue reading
‘Europeanisation’ of the 2014 EP elections
6 language versions available in PDF format “Européanisation” des élections européennes de 2014 “Europeizzazione” delle elezioni europee del 2014 „Europeizacja” wyborów do Parlamentu Europejskiego w 2014 r. „Europäisierung” der EP-Wahlen 2014 ‘Europeanisation’ of the 2014 EP elections «Europeización» de las elecciones al PE de 2014 The European Parliament (EP) is the institution most often cited … Continue reading
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