European Elections 2024: Key Facts and Procedures
Once every five years, citizens from the 27 European Union (EU) member states head to the polls to elect their representatives in the European Parliament. In 2024, the elections will occur between June 6 and 9, marking a significant event as a total of 720 seats will be defined, 15 more than in the previous elections. The EU mandates that the total number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) cannot exceed 750 plus the president. Currently, there are 705 MEPs.
MEPs are chosen through direct suffrage and represent EU citizens on a continental level. To ensure proportional representation, each member state is allocated a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 96 seats. The forthcoming elections are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future political landscape of the EU.
Voting Procedures Across Member States
The voting procedures for the European Parliament elections vary slightly among member states. For instance, in Spain, citizens will cast their votes on Sunday, June 9, 2024. German citizens will also vote on the same day while other countries within the EU have their own specific dates within the June 6-9 range.
In Germany, 34 parties are contesting the elections, and each voter has to cast a single vote for a party or political association, without the option to vote for individual candidates. The order in which parties appear on the German ballot papers is based on their performance in the 2019 European elections in each federal state.
For the first time, 16-year-olds are eligible to vote in Germany. Voting can be done in person at designated polling stations or via postal vote, for which documents can be requested in advance.
Documentation and Ballot Information
In much of the EU, the minimum voting age is 18, except in countries like Austria and Malta, where it is 16. Required documentation varies; for instance, Spanish voters must present a photo ID such as a passport or driving license. Foreign EU citizens residing in a member state must register before voting.
In Spain, a closed list system is applied, meaning voters cannot alter the order of candidates on the list; they must vote for the entire list. In Germany, each voter's task is straightforward: put a cross next to a single party on the ballot.
Some unique cases arise, such as Ursula von der Leyen, who stands for election as the top candidate for the CDU but does not appear on the ballot for any federal state due to her nomination as the EU Commission President. Experts advise undecided voters to use tools like Wahl-O-Mat to find the party that best aligns with their views.
- Launched in 2014, Ursula von der Leyen is a prominent figure in the European political landscape. Her appointment reflects the continued significance of recognizable leaders in mobilizing voter participation across the EU.
- The AfD party, in its election program, has called for the dissolution of the current EU structure, branding the euro as a 'failed' currency and advocating for stricter migration policies.
