EU 2024 Elections : Why the Whole World is Looking at the Results

When many countries are looking to the United States’ elections amid all the others happening in 2024, the European Union (EU) legislative elections will take place on June 9. On that day, citizens of all 27 member states of the EU will be able to vote for the candidates of their national parties to represent them in the European Parliament. In a period of major conflicts, the EU plays one of the biggest roles on the international scene. Both outside and within its borders, the Union is being sorely tested in the face of its challenges. Even on its borders, the crisis exists and has to be treated. 

Let’s look at what is exactly at stake on June 9, the day 448 million people will head to the polls.

Before entering the subject, let’s make a little reminder for our readers: The EU is a political and economic union of 27 member states in Europe. The project traces its roots back to the aftermath of World War II to foster peace, stability, and prosperity on the old continent. The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) precursor to the EU, was established in 1951 by six founding members (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany) to integrate key industries and prevent future conflicts between European countries. Over the decades, the project evolved, expanding its scope to include economic integration, the establishment of a single market, and the adoption of a common currency, the Euro (€). Today, the EU encompasses a wide range of policies and institutions aimed at promoting cooperation, solidarity, and shared values among its member states.

First, let’s look at the organization of the election. The EU Parliament election is organized every five years and for the tenth time this year. It is the only time citizens of the European Union can vote directly for their representatives. One fundamental aspect of the EU legislative elections is the proportional representation system. Unlike many national electoral systems, where winner-takes-all dynamics prevail, EU elections employ proportional representation, ensuring that the composition of the European Parliament reflects the diverse political spectrum across member states. 720 Members of Parliament will be elected this year, with 46 seats deleted post-Brexit and 15 seats added since the last elections due to the growing population of member states. The seats of each member state are calculated by population size: Germany, the most populated country in the UE (84 million inhabitants) has the largest number of seats (96), and France follows with 81 seats - 2 were added since 2019 - and the least populated country of the EU, Malta, has the minimum number of seats a state can have: six (as do Cyprus and Luxembourg). Each citizen will have the opportunity to vote for one of his local political parties which is represented in one of the 10 European political parties. These 10 parties are united in eight groups that make up the European parliament, covering approximately the entire political landscape like the S&D (Socialists and Democrats) for the left, EPP (European People’s Party) for the center-right, Renew Europe for the right/liberals, … 

This parliament, the only directly elected legislative branch of the EU, holds significant powers. It shares the legislative power with the Council of the European Union (meeting of the ministers of each subject) and it has the authority to amend, approve, or reject proposed legislation, all in collaboration with the Council. This co-legislative role ensures that laws reflect the interests and concerns of EU citizens as represented by their MEPs. The European Parliament can also serve as an initiator of legislation. While the European Commission has the sole right of legislative initiative, the Parliament can request the Commission to propose new laws or amendments to existing ones in the EU law. Moreover, the Parliament can propose its resolutions and reports (of its MEP’s), which may influence the legislative agenda and shape EU policies. The Parliament plays a role of scrutiny and oversight over EU institutions. Through hearings, inquiries, and the power to adopt resolutions and recommendations, it holds these institutions accountable (in the name of the citizens of the EU) for their actions and decisions, ensuring transparency and democratic accountability. The European Parliament is also responsible for the EU budget, still with the Council and the nomination of the president of the Commission and its Commissioners with hearings.

The last election in 2019 had a turnout of 50.66%, and the election saw the first surge in voter participation since the first election in 1979, reflecting heightened interest and engagement in EU affairs among citizens. What has been highlighted the most was the rise of populist and eurosceptic parties across Europe. Parties like Matteo Salvini's Lega in Italy and Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National in France made significant gains, reflecting growing disillusionment with mainstream politics and EU institutions.

There is an additional challenge with transferring powers to the local — such as municipal — to the supranational EU level. The process is too slow for some Europhiles or giving up too much national sovereignty for Eurosceptics. This is where the EU institutions have to find a balance: how to convince the people in the EU’s capital cities as well as the inhabitants of the countryside in the depths of Bulgaria? The challenge of the EU institutions is to convince all its citizens of its project and the impact it can have on the world. We can see it, particularly in the war in Ukraine, where the EU provides military resources, welcomes Ukrainians fleeing war, and has fast-tracked the candidacy of Ukraine to the Union. Also, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the EU plays an important role in diplomacy and humanitarian aid.

All the reforms of the EU have been voted on by the former composition of the European parliament and the direction the Union will take will be decided on June 9. The future of the EU and the world is at stake. The vote of each EU citizen is key to shaping a consensus for the Union; now, let's see which path they determine we take.