In June, citizens from 27 European countries will participate in elections that hold immense significance for the European Union and beyond. With approximately 400 million eligible voters spanning from Finland to Cyprus, and Ireland to Bulgaria, these elections will shape the composition of the next European Parliament, serving as a direct conduit between citizens and EU institutions.
The outcomes of these elections will profoundly influence the trajectory of the EU over the next half-decade, impacting critical issues such as climate change, migration, and the ongoing debate between greater integration and rising nationalism. Notably, there has been a notable surge in support for right-wing and far-right parties across the continent, foreshadowing a potential rightward shift in the composition of the next European Parliament.
Functioning from bases in Brussels and Strasbourg, the European Parliament holds sway over legislation that directly impacts the lives of EU citizens and plays a pivotal role in endorsing the annual budget, which for this year stands at €189 billion (£160 billion).
Furthermore, the election results will significantly influence the selection of the next president of the European Commission. Voting commences on June 6th in the Netherlands, followed by Ireland and Malta the next day, and Latvia and Slovakia on Saturday. Subsequently, many EU member states will cast their votes on Sunday, June 9th.
While most countries conduct voting on a single day, some, like the Czech Republic, allow for ballots to be cast over multiple days. In Italy, voting spans both Saturday and Sunday, while Belgians not only participate in European elections on Sunday but also engage in national and regional elections concurrently.
Although the voting age is typically 18 across most EU nations, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Malta permit voting at 16, with Greece setting the minimum age at 17. In select countries such as Luxembourg and Bulgaria, voting is compulsory, underscoring the significance of citizen participation in shaping the European democratic process.