European Elections June 2009
The European Parliament election from 4th to 9th June
2009 will be the biggest European and transnational election in
European History.
In June 2009 almost 500 million European citizens in th 27
countries of the European Union will be eligible to vote. The
European Parliament will elect 785 members (MEPs) for a five-year
term.
iCES will follow the European elections with updates and
research. In the forthcoming months EBS and Regent's College
Students will be able to participate in an European survey and
express their views on the European Election.
The European Elections 2009 Facts & Figures
What is the European Parliament?
The European Parliament is the Community institution that
represents the peoples of the Member States of the European Union.
At present there are 27 Member States and 492 million citizens. The
785 Members of the European Parliament represent you, the citizen
of Europe.
What does it do?
The European Parliament has a big influence on the lives of EU
citizens. It plays an active role in drafting legislation. For
example, on environmental protection, energy security, work, equal
opportunities, regulation of markets, consumer rights.
National parliament laws in all member states are drafted
in response to European directives. It also plays a role on
the EU monetary budget.
In the words of the European Parliament, the EP is a
"co-legislator, has budgetary powers and
exercises democratic controls over all the European
institutions"
Why should I vote?
You will choose who influences your future and the daily
life of nearly 500 million fellow Europeans. You have the
choice to make Europe with your vote for the next five years.
You will be voting to an MEP that will speak on your behalf on
issues such as climate and energy management, transport,
immigration, defense, EU's participation on international political
events to name a few. For example, the current ongoing
debate is
whether Europe should take prisoners from Guantanamo
Bay and today (4th February) the
President of the Palestinian Authority is addressing the
Parliament.
European
Election Logo (from European Parliament)
When is the election?
The date of the election will be from 4 June to 7 June 2009
in the 27 member states. The UK and the Netherlands will vote on 4
June. Most of the other member states, including Belgium, Denmark,
Estonia, France and Germany, will hold the election on 7 June.
First results are expected to be announced on the evening of 7
June.
What is a MEP? How do I find out about my
MEP?
A MEP is a Member of the European Parliament. You can find out
in detail using this map of
the European Parliament website.
Most people do not have one but several MEP. 
In the UK, Constituencies
have up to nine MEPs each. MEP are grouped in transnational
political groups according to their political affinities.
The European Parliament holds regular plenary sessions in
Strasbourg, but members of the parliament do most of their work in
Brussels (in picture).
Take Our Survey on the European
Elections!
Page last updated 9/30/2009