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2024 European Parliament election

2024 European Parliament election

Tenth direct elections to the European Parliament

News

Europe is made in its crises and will be the sum of the solutions with which these crises are overcome.

Jean Monnet, French entrepreneur

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At a glance

  • The European Parliament has grown immensely in importance throughout the European Union’s history.
  • In most policy areas in which the European Union has legislative power, no decisions can be taken without the consent of the Parliament.
  • During the European elections, citizens elect their MEPs directly. This democratic process enables voters to decide on the majority in Parliament and the direction of European policy.
  • Important topics for the 2024 European Elections were the promotion of growth, the combating of climate change and the creation of a common asylum policy.
  • The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung explicitly sees itself as a European foundation. With this in mind, we reject populist and anti-European tendencies and our work contributes towards shaping a successful Europe of tomorrow.

 

Content

1. The European Parliament as part of the “Institutional Triangle”

2. European elections: importance, participation and implementation

3. Multiple crises and the search for european solutions

4. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung sees itself as a european foundation

5. Our offers and projects on the topic

6. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic


 

The European Parliament as part of the “Institutional Triangle”

The European Parliament (EP) plays a special role within the institutional architecture of the European Union. Together with the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, it forms an important political trio and particularly in legislative and budgetary procedures.

Throughout the course of history, the European Parliament has gained significant rights of participation. Today, for most policy areas in which the EU has legislative powers, decisions can only be made with the consent of the Parliament. What is more, it has the right to make decisive amendments to draft legislation.

The Parliament also scrutinises the European Commission and adopts the annual EU budget together with the Council. In this way, it is involved in the Union’s financial prioritisation.

 

European elections: importance, participation and implementation

The majority ratios in the Parliament are therefore crucial for the orientation of European policy. Since 1979, citizens of the member states have directly elected their MEPs. In June 2024, they were called upon for the tenth time to participate in the political decision-making process by casting their votes.

Elections to the European Parliament takes place every five years. It is worth noting that there is still no EU-wide election procedure. The specific procedures vary between the member states, which generally update their national election system for the European Parliament elections with some adjustments. In 2024, people in Germany aged 16 years and over were eligible to vote for the first time.

Since voter turnout had in some cases dramatically decreased over the decades, a significant rise was recorded again in 2019 and 2024. People’s interest in European solutions has also increased against the backdrop of multiple crises.

 

Multiple crises and the search for european solutions

In the course of the European unification process, the Community has been repeatedly confronted with major challenges. When looking at the last few years, this mainly includes mitigating the impact of the Corona virus pandemic, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and increasing global systemic competition.

While domestic pressure has also increased. For instance, anti-European and in some cases anti-democratic political forces succeeded in expanding their influence in some member states. Fundamental values and principles, on which the Union is built, are thus being called into question. Should this trend continue, it will also have a negative impact on the European Parliament’s ability to work.

In addition to the aforementioned domestic and external challenges, the following issues are likely to be of key relevance in the upcoming legislative period: the promotion of growth, employment and competitiveness in the EU, the fight against climate change, as well as the development of a common European asylum policy.

 

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung sees itself as a european foundation

The namesake of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, is seen as one of the “fathers of Europe”. His continuous and consistent policy of Western integration was inspired by the vision of a united Europe. Particularly during times of crisis, he was personally highly committed to the unification process. This became clear after the failure of the European Defence Community in 1954, for example.

In keeping with this tradition, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung explicitly perceives itself as a European foundation and takes on the challenges of our time. Analyses, publications, expert discussions, stakeholder networking, conferences and information events will debate the causes of multiple crises, explore the potential for successfully handling the important European policy issues of our time and identifying concrete recommendations for action.


Our offers and projects on the topic

Event series

With the Speech on Europe, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, together with two cooperation partners, has created an interesting format at which the current situation and ideas for the future of Europe can be addressed and discussed.

Speech on Europe

 

The Speech on Europe is the annual statement by the highest representatives of Europe: The President of the Council of the European Union, the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission takes it in turns to present their positions on the idea and state of Europe. The format is a cooperation of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa and the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin.

 

Learn more about the Speech on Europe


 

Election analyses and polls

Our polls on the European People’s Party (EPP) and analyses on European Parliament elections provide an overview of the state of the EPP party family, and discuss the reasons behind voter migration as well as the performance of the German parties in elections to the European Parliament.

EPP Party Barometer

 

Our EPP Party Barometer presents an overview on the current situation of the EPP party family in the EU. In this format, we summarise and present election results and surveys from the member states at irregular intervals.

 

Learn more about the EPP Party Barometer

Elections to the European Parliament

 

Since 1979, the European Parliament has been elected every five years in the Member States of the European Union. The election of members of parliament is free, secret and direct. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung analyses the European Parliament elections in its own publications and discusses the reasons for voter migration and the election result in Germany.

 

Learn more about election analyses of the European Parliament elections since 2004

Learn more about election results of the European Parliament elections since 1979


 

Archive holdings on the subject of European elections

The Archive of Christian-Democratic Policy (ACDP) of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation collects archival documents of Christian democracy, makes them accessible to users and promotes academic research. Documents of European parliamentarianism are also part of the collection in order to research the involvement of Christian Democracy in the European integration process. With the help of research guides, we lead you thematically through our holdings.

Research guide: European elections

 

“Together for a Europe of free people” - With this call, the European People’s Party (EPP) entered the first direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979. Since then, the citizens of the member states have been electing their representatives every five years. The European parliamentary elections were held for the tenth time from June 6 to 9, 2024.

The research guide: European elections presents a selection of sources for research into European parliamentarianism. A small selection of documents, posters and advertising material for each European election is also available as digital copies.

 

Learn more about the research guide: European elections


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Contact

Felix Müller

Portrait von Felix Müller

European Policy

felix.mueller@kas.de +49 30 26996 3537 +49 151 20563256
Contact

Marcel Schmidt

Marcel Schmidt

Desk Officer for European Affairs and Multilateral Dialogue

marcel.schmidt@kas.de +49 (0) 30 26 996 - 3671
Country Reports
IMAGO / Panama Pictures
March 14, 2024
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Event Reports
KAS / Tina Flemming
November 10, 2023
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Publications, events and media contributions on the topic

Our contributions are as wide-ranging and multifaceted as the topic itself!

Whether it's an expert interview, specialist publication or hot debate - click through and you're guaranteed to find the right format for you!

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Publications to the topic

Ursula von der Leyen nach ihrer Wiederwahl zur EU-Kommissionspräsidentin im EU-Parlament IMAGO / Panama Pictures

The election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission

An analysis after the 2024 European elections

French parliamentary elections 2024, 2 round Adobe Stock/ Iryna/ Generiert mit KI

2nd round of elections in France

Republican Front halts shift to the right at the last second

Donald Tusk beim EU-Gipfel IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

After the European elections in Poland

The EU policy of the Tusk government

1.Wahlgang Frankreich IMAGO / TT

France moves to the far right

First round of the parliamentary elections

Österreichischer Stimmzettel IMAGO / Andreas Stroh

In Search of the Least Evil

The ÖVP between the European and National Council Elections

Nationalversammlung der Republik Bulgarien IMAGO / NurPhoto

GERB wins again in sixth parliamentary election in a row and is also victorious in the European elect...

A country in search of political stability

Jose Luis Matinez Almeida, Dolors Montserrat, Alberto Nunez Feijoo und Isabel Diaz Ayuso IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

European elections in Spain and Portugal

Spanische PP gewinnt mit größtem Vorsprung zur PSOE seit 1999 – In Portugal stagnieren Sozialisten und Liberalkonservative, Rechtspopulisten und Liberale gewinnen erstmals Mandate

De Croo Resigns IMAGO / Photo News

Surprising Election Results in Belgium

Victory of the "lesser evil" confirms Belgium's Shift to the Right

A man votes for the European Parliament elections and local elections at a polling station in Bucharest IMAGO / Xinhua

Romania has voted

Cementing the status quo

Länderbericht mal anders Titelbild Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

European elections 2024

Barrier-free?

verschiedene Wahlwerbung in Frankreich KAS

After the elections is before the elections

France is in crisis after the European elections

Wahl 2024 in der Europäischen Union. Europawahl Banner Adobe Stocke / Business Pics / Generiert mit KI

Analysis of the European Elections in Germany on 9 June 2024

Report on the preliminary final result, the main voting determinants, voter migration and social structure.

Europäische Flagge in Brüssel | © Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari

EPP-Party Barometer May 2024

The Situation of the European People’s Party in the EU

Wahlplakate in Belgien 2024 IMAGO / Photo News

Political polarization characterizes Belgium ahead of the elections

Wahlkampf im Lichte der EU-Ratspräsidentschaft

Platzhalter_grauweiß_nggn

Interview: „Europa kann schneller und besser werden!"

Lena Düpont MdEP über die Gründungsidee Europas, das Entwicklungspotenzial der Europäischen Union und die Schicksalswahl zum Europäischen Parlament

Deutschland und der Europarat

Die Geschichte einer Wertegemeinschaft

Europäische Flagge in Brüssel | © Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari

EPP-Party Barometer April 2024

The Situation of the European People’s Party in the EU

Europäische Flagge in Brüssel | © Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari

EPP-Party Barometer February 2024

The Situation of the European People’s Party in the EU

Wähler auf einem Hintergrund mit der Flagge der Europäischen Union. Adobe Stock / Rawf8

Public Opinion on the European Union before the European Election 2024

A representative survey on attitudes on the EU

Italien und die EU Flagge IMAGO / Pond5 Images

Why the European elections could be decided in Italy

Movement in the Italian party system reaches as far as Strasbourg and Brussels

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Events on the topic

Nov

2024

fully booked
St. Peter

China

Weltmacht, Wirtschaftspartner und Rivale

Event Reports on the topic

Event Reports on the topic

3. Jugendtag für Europa am 06. Mai 2024 in Düsseldorf

3. Jugendtag für Europa für Europa - Deine Stimme zählt!

Kooperationsveranstaltung mit EUROPE DIRECT Düsseldorf, der VHS Düsseldorf und dem MAXHAUS - Katholisches Stadthaus Düsseldorf

Ungarn VA Bild

Europa vor der Wahl – Ungarn vor der EU - Ratspräsidentschaft

Online Diskussionsreihe zur Europawahl 2024

Dr. Elisabeth Hoffberger-Pippan, Michael Gahler MdEP und Vanessa Vohs Thomas Ehlen / kas.de

Was wir in Europa schaffen können

Bedrohten Demokratien beistehen und unsere Freiheit verteidigen / Eine Bilanz des Frankfurter Gesprächs 11. April 2024

bild italien online

Europa vor der Wahl - Italien verstehen

Online Diskussionsreihe zur Europawahl 2024

Titelbild (1)

Migration nach Europa. Herausforderungen und Chancen für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft

Diskussionsveranstaltung im Hubschraubermuseum Bückeburg

Pöttering Titel

Europa heute mit Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering

EuropaTag für Studierende am 28.02.2024 in Aachen

EuropaTag für Studierende - Welches Europa wollen wir sein?

Kooperationsveranstaltung mit der Bischöflichen Akademie Aachen und der Europäischen Stiftung Aachener Dom

Serbien VA 1

Europa vor der Wahl – Serbien am Scheideweg

Online Diskussionsreihe zur Europawahl 2024

Twistringen Titel

Europa vor der Wahl - Twistringen

baltikum 1

Europa vor der Wahl - Baltische Staaten

Online Diskussionsreihe zur Europawahl 2024

2024 wird die Zusammensetzung des Europäischen Parlament (hier: in Straßburg) neu gewählt. Erich Westendarp auf Pixabay

Die europäische Stimme der bürgerlichen Mitteparteien

EVP: Die proeuropäische Kraft im Europäischen Parlament

2. Jugendtag für Europa – Welches Europa wollen wir sein? - 23.10.2023

2. Jugendtag für Europa - Welches Europa wollen wir sein?

Kooperationsveranstaltung mit EUROPE DIRECT Düsseldorf, der VHS Düsseldorf und dem MAXHAUS - Katholisches Stadthaus Düsseldorf

Screenshot (4)

Europa vor der Wahl - Rumänien

Online Diskussionsreihe zur Europawahl 2024

Alfred Schier, Moderator bei Phoenix und Coach, Klaus Welle, Siebo Janssen (im Uhrzeigersinn) Martin Reuber

Lackmustest für die Zusammenarbeit in Europa

Wofür stehen die europäischen Christdemokraten?

Publications

Media library

After the elections to the European Parliament

Continuity or change? On the global role of the EU after the elections

What can we expect from the future EU Commission at a global level and where are the major challenges? We talk about this with Dr Olaf Wientzek and Jonas Nitschke.

KAS USA Online Event

Change and Challenges after the European Elections

A discussion about the results of the parliamentary elections in the EU and the implications for the U.S. and the transatlantic cooperation.

Erststimme #94: Jochen Richter

Wie weiter nach der Europawahl?

Wir sprechen mit Jochen Richter, einem Insider aus dem Brüsseler Politikbetrieb über die Perspektiven des Europaparlaments nach den Europawahlen 2024.

Erststimme #79: David McAllister

30 Jahre nach dem Maastrichter Vertrag: Muss die EU neu vermessen werden?

Was ist aus dem Maastrichter Vertrag geworden und wohin führt uns die Zeitenwende in Europa? Diese Frage besprechen wir dem christdemokratischen EU-Außenpolitiker David McAllister.

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6. Episode KAScut

Interview with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

We talked to her about the biggest challenges the EU is facing at the moment and the role of the European Parliament in addressing these challenges.

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