Q&A Session - Understanding the EU election process and its consequences.
The European elections will shape the legislation on the continent for the coming five years. During a three-day period starting from June 6th, EU citizens from all 27 member countries will elect their preferred representatives to the European Parliament.
Who can participate in the voting?
An estimated 360 million people across all EU member states will decide which politicians or political parties will serve as their representatives for the next five years. In Germany, approximately 65 million eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at a party or political organization's polling station on the final day, June 9th. Unlike federal elections, there are no individual electoral districts in European elections.
To be eligible for voting, one must be at least 16 years old in Germany. This requirement differs from other countries like Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Greece, and Cyprus, where voting is mandatory for all eligible citizens. This also applies to Germans who have the right to vote in these nations.
Which parties are running for election?
German voters have the option to pick from one of the 35 national parties and political organizations. Thirty-three of these parties are vying in all federal states, with the CSU only competing in Bavaria and its sister party, the CDU, running in the remaining 15 states. Each party typically nominates its leading candidates, such as Germany's current EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and former Federal Minister Katarina Barley.
Even smaller German parties stand a chance of entering the European Parliament as they do not need to meet a predetermined percentage threshold. The way voting is conducted varies from country to country, but the general principle is: the more votes a party receives, the more seats they have earned at the end of the election.
What other EU institutions are there?
The European Parliament is one of the primary legislative bodies in Europe. The European Council of States is another important institution, consisting of a meeting of ambassadors, ministers, and summits of state and government leaders from EU countries. Belgium currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024 before Hungary takes over. The European Commission acts as akin to a cabinet, with a representative from each member state, led by Germany's current Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. The Commission proposes laws and supervises their implementation in the member states.
What does the European Parliament consist of?
The European Parliament, located in Brussels, Belgium, and Strasbourg, France, consists of elected representatives from all EU nations. These politicians are supposed to represent the interests of over 450 million people across Europe. After this election, 720 representatives will be allowed to take their seats - an increase of 15 since the last one.
Germany, the most populous EU country, has the most representatives, with 96. The smallest nations, such as Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Malta, each have six. Despite Germany's overrepresentation, each representative's vote holds the same weight, regardless of how many people they represent.
What are the members of the European Parliament united in?
Members of the European Parliament often group together with like-minded colleagues in factions. Currently, there are seven factions, and a faction must have at least 23 parliamentarians from at least seven EU countries. Factions benefit from a significant voice in the agenda, more time during debates, and more financial resources. Members can also choose to remain non-aligned.
For the practical parliamentary work, there are committees and subcommittees. In these, politicians from different parties collaborate and negotiate on specific thematic areas, like foreign affairs, budget, economy and currency, transport, or education.
What is the role of the European Parliament in Germany?
Because the EU member states have a significant influence on legislative matters at the EU level, the parliamentarians' impact on new laws is considered limited but still significant. They must approve numerous new regulations and can prevent them. Laws and regulations passed in Europe have an immediate effect on people and businesses in Germany, as they need to be converted into national law.
The parliament also plays a role in deciding on the allocation of funds, like the billion-dollar EU agricultural subsidy.
What happens following the elections?
During the first session following the election, newly elected parliamentarians usually form factions. This marks the start of the new legislative period. Subsequently, the committees hold their initial meetings to elect their respective chairpersons.
Additionally, a new European Commission will be established. Parliament has some say in this process. First, the EU heads of state and government will commence negotiations on who will lead the EU Commission moving forward. While they do have the right to make proposals, the parliament must ultimately approve the choice by a majority.
Finally, the parliament will approve or reject the proposed commissioners in the commission lineup. The process takes place in the autumn, culminating in a decision regarding the entire composition of the commission.
Read also:
- The results of the European elections will significantly impact legislation in Europe for the subsequent five years.
- EU citizens from all 27 member countries will participate in the European elections, including those in Germany, where approximately 65 million eligible voters are expected to vote.
- Voting eligibility varies among EU countries; for instance, individuals in Germany must be at least 16 years old, while voting is mandatory in Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Greece, and Cyprus.
- German voters have the option to choose from 35 national parties and political organizations, with the CSU competing only in Bavaria and CDU in the remaining 15 states.
- Smaller German parties can still enter the European Parliament without meeting a predetermined percentage threshold, and the number of seats a party earns depends on the votes they receive.
- The European Parliament, located in Brussels and Strasbourg, consists of elected representatives from all EU nations, with Germany leading with 96 representatives and the smallest nations having six.
- Members of the European Parliament often form factions with at least 23 parliamentarians from seven EU countries, ensuring a significant voice in decision-making processes.
- In the European Parliament, politicians often work together in committees and subcommittees in thematic areas such as foreign affairs, budget, economy, and education.
- German parliamentarians have an impact on new laws approved by the European Parliament, affecting people and businesses in Germany, as they must convert these regulations into national laws.
- Following the elections, newly elected parliamentarians establish factions, committees hold their initial meetings, and a new European Commission is set up, requiring parliamentary approval for its leaders and commissioners.
- The European elections in 2024 will take place in several countries, including Belgium, which currently holds the rotating presidency, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Greece, among others.
