Inquiries and Responses - EU Parliament's Authority in European Elections: What Is Its Scope?
In a matter of days, the European elections will be held. These elections come with their own set of questions – what will be voted on, what won't, and how will the European Parliament influence the outcome? We've gathered some information to provide you with an overview.
When are the European elections taking place?
The voting period kicks off from June 6th, with the Dutch holding elections first. This will be followed by Ireland, Latvia, Malta, and Slovakia. The rest of the EU will vote on June 9th. The varying dates in different countries allow for the maintenance of election traditions that vary from country to country.
Who is eligible to vote?
For the first time in Germany, those aged 16 or above can now participate in a European election. Previously, the minimum voting age was 18 years. The total number of eligible voters in Germany has risen to about 65 million people for this election.
In various countries, minors are also allowed to vote. According to reports from the EU Parliament, this is also possible in Austria, Belgium, Malta, and Greece, where the minimum voting age is 16, 18, 18, and 17 years respectively. A total of around 360 million people are eligible to vote in the EU.
How many deputies will be elected?
A total of 720 deputies will be voted in. Although there are fewer politicians than in the previous election, where 751 parliamentarians were elected, several deputies lost their mandate due to the UK's departure from the EU. While this election has 15 more seats than the current Parliament, it still seems to be understaffed.
How are the deputies distributed among the countries?
Germany, which has the highest number of eligible voters, will also provide the most deputies in the EU. However, German deputies represent a larger population than those from other countries. For instance, deputies in Malta represent around 100,000 people, while deputies in Germany represent about 875,000 people. If there were no significant differences in representation, the Parliament would either have to be considerably larger or the citizens of smaller EU countries would be represented by a single deputy or none at all.
How are the elections conducted?
The methods for conducting elections differ greatly from country to country. In Germany, most parties submit nationwide lists, the order of which is determined at a party congress. A party's representation in the European Parliament is proportional to the number of votes it receives. The CDU/CSU, on the other hand, do not create nationwide lists, but rather decide on their order at the state level.
What influence does the European Parliament have?
The European Parliament has the power to ratify laws, sanction the EU budgets, and elect the European Commission President. It can also supervise the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. The EU Parliament is considered the "heart" of the European Union, and its decisions have a significant impact on the lives of European citizens.
Majorities in the parliament are crucial in influencing new EU laws. Their input has been essential in projects like the combustion engine ban and nature and climate protection laws. The parliament also holds a major influence over the distribution of funds, as was seen in the billion-euro EU agricultural funding.
How are the post-election proceedings conducted?
Most laws are negotiated between the European Parliament and the EU states, with a majority in the Council deciding on their implementation. However, this does not affect the European elections directly. To a greater degree, the composition of the European Commission after the election may have an impact on the Parliament. As an institution, the European Commission holds exclusive privileges in proposing EU legal acts, which are then negotiated between the Parliament and the EU states. It is the responsibility of the heads of state and government to propose a candidate for the President, but the Parliament can reject this decision. In most cases, the President is nominated from the largest faction in the Parliament.
Peculiarities in different countries
In Germany and the Netherlands, there is no threshold; as soon as a party receives a percentage of votes, it can expect a seat in the Parliament. In countries like France and Austria, a party must obtain a percentage of votes before they can compete. For example, in France, a party must secure at least 5% of the votes, and in Austria, they must secure 4%. In some countries, there is a compulsory voting law in place, as in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Greece. These laws require citizens to vote.
So, there you have it – a brief overview of what you need to know about the upcoming European elections. Stay informed and get involved to make a difference!
Further Reading
- European Parliament website: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/
- European Union website: https://europa.eu/
- Deutsche Welle: https://www.dw.com/en/election-guide-european-parliament-elections-2019/s-45860269
- DW Akademie: https://www.dw.com/en/dw-akademie/hintergrund/s-34928624
