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Stock-taking of the 2024 European Ϸվ Elections
In the 2024 European Ϸվ elections turnout varied significantly across EU Member States, influenced by institutional factors such as compulsory voting and concurrent elections. Socioeconomic disparities persisted; older, higher-educated, and wealthier citizens were more likely to vote, while economically disadvantaged and unemployed individuals participated less. Gender and age gaps in turnout reaffirmed the importance of role models and political efficacy in mobilization. Vote choice reflected ...
Stock-taking of the European Elections 2024
The European Electoral Act decrees that the Members of the European Ϸվ shall be elected on the basis of proportional representation, using the list system or the single transferable vote. There is much leeway for a Member State to turn terms like “proportional representation” or “the list system” into executable rules. As a result, Member States differ considerably as to their electoral provisions. The briefing presents an overview of the vote patterns used by the Member States, of the apportionment ...
Current membership of the European Council
The European Council consists of the 27 Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States, who are voting members, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, who have no vote (Article 15(2) Treaty on European Union). The chart shows the current members, the national office they hold, their most recent European political affiliation, and the year their membership began.
Council Decision (EU) 2018/994 modifying the 1976 European Electoral Act: Ratification status
Council Decision (EU) 2018/994, amending the 1976 European Electoral act is not yet in force. According to Article 223 TFEU, Ϸվ has the exclusive right to propose amendments to the electoral rules, while the Council adopts them unanimously after Ϸվ's consent. Moreover, Member States must approve those adopted rules in accordance with their constitutional requirements. However, not all Member States have ratified the Council's 2018 decision.
Belarus: Continued oppression and fake elections
The human rights situation is worsening in Belarus, with a continued climate of oppression in the country. Meanwhile, presidential 'elections' are due to take place on 26 January 2025. The democratic forces of Belarus call this vote a 'self-reappointment of Lukashenka' and urge the international community not to recognise it. Ϸվ will hold a debate on the situation and possible actions with the High Representative /Vice-President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas, during the January ...
Mis- and disinformation on social media and related risks to election integrity
Under the EU's landmark Digital Services Act (DSA), large social media platforms have pledged to take greater responsibility for curbing harmful and deceptive content. Despite this, information manipulation campaigns continue to unfold. On 6 December, Romania became the first EU country to cancel an election over foreign interference, following reports about information manipulation on TikTok. During the December 2024 plenary session, the Commission is due to make a statement on mis- and disinformation ...
Election of the European Ombudsman
In December, after a public hearing of the candidates in the Committee on Petitions (PETI), the European Ϸվ is set to elect the European Ombudsman for the new parliamentary term. Six candidates are running: Teresa Anjinho (Portugal), a former Deputy Portuguese Ombudsman; Emilio De Capitani (Italy), a former European Ϸվ official; Marino Fardelli (Italy), Ombudsman of the Lazio region; Julia Laffranque (Estonia), a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights; Claudia Mahler ( ...
Plenary round-up – November III 2024
The highlight of the November III 2024 plenary session was the election of the European Commission, following the Commission President-elect's presentation of the College of Commissioners and a debate in the chamber. Members held debates on Commission statements on the outcomes of the G20 Leaders' Summit and the COP29 climate change conference. Members also debated Commission and Council statements on reinforcing the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine; continued escalation in the Middle East; and ...
Euroopan parlamentti: Faktatietoja
Tämä on Euroopan parlamentin tutkimuspalvelun julkaisema katsaus, jossa tarjotaan laaja valikoima faktatietoja Euroopan parlamentista. Katsauksen grafiikoista saa käsityksen parlamentin jäsenistöstä sekä toimielimen rakenteista ja toiminnasta nykyiseltä vaalikaudelta (heinäkuu 2024 – kesäkuu 2029) ja edellisiltä viisivuotiskausilta kesäkuussa 1979 pidetyistä välittömistä vaaleista alkaen.
Role and election of the President of the European Council: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The European Council consists of the Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU Member States, as well as the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. It became a formal European Union (EU) institution with a full-time President in 2009, with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. Although it does not include legislative functions, the European Council's role – to 'provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development' and to define its 'general ...