The citizens of the European Union (EU) You will be able to cast your vote from this Thursday June 6 to Sunday June 9 to choose 720 deputies of the European Parliament to occupy the position for the next five years. In total, around 370 million people They are called to the polls.
Euro-legislators will then appoint the leaders of the other two major EU institutions: the European Comission, which is the executive arm of the bloc, and the only body that can propose laws to the European Parliament; and the European Councilwhich represents the countries.
The elections, which started this Thursday, were inaugurated with the voting in the Netherlandsamidst projections of a marked growth of the far right.
What is the European Parliament and how does it work?
He European Parliament It is one of the seven institutions that confirm the European Union, and the only legislative one whose Members are elected directly by citizenswhich gives crucial importance to your votes.
As the experts explain, the results that emerge from the polls “will shape the balance of forces and leadership in other key institutions: the Commission, the Council presidency and several other powers that oil the EU machinery.” Furthermore, they point out that these elections “will be critical not only for the Union itself, but also for the world in general.”
For its part, the parliamentary body defends the interests of the citizens of the European Union at a continental level, covering issues ranging from the economy and the fight against poverty to climate change and security.
Together with the Council of the European Union, parliamentarians modify and approve legislation of the EU, including multi-year and annual budget. In addition, they deal with issues such as human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.
For this year’s elections, the number of deputies that make up the legislative body increased to 720 seats compared to 705 previouslyas two additional places have been allocated to Spain, France and the Netherlands, and one more to Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Slovakia, Ireland, Slovenia and Latvia.
Source: Ambito
