European Parliament Elections: Voting Information and Results

Overview

European Parliament elections grant EU citizens the power to shape the policies that affect their lives. These elections are held every five years and draw over 400 million eligible voters.

Voting Procedures

Eligibility

Citizens of EU member states are eligible to vote in their own country or the EU country they reside in.

Age Requirement

The minimum voting age varies across member states:

• 16 in Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Malta
• 18 in all other member states

Voting Dates

Voting takes place over three days:

• June 8: Italy, Latvia, Malta, and Slovakia
• June 9: All remaining member states

Results

Election results are published after all votes are cast and counted. Voters can find results on the European Parliament website or through national media outlets.

Turnout

Historical data shows varying voter turnout across European elections. In recent years, turnout has fluctuated between 42% and 50%.

Seat Allocation

The number of seats allocated to each member state is determined by its population. Currently, the Parliament has 705 seats.

Role of the European Parliament

The European Parliament plays a crucial role in the EU decision-making process. Its main functions include:

• Co-legislating with the Council of the European Union
• Adopting the EU budget
• Monitoring and scrutinizing the work of the European Commission

Importance of Voting

European Parliament elections provide citizens with a chance to directly influence the policies that affect their lives. By actively participating in these elections, voters can ensure that their voices are heard and the policies that are adopted reflect their concerns.