Europe went to the polls

With a voter turnout of 64.8 percent in Germany, far more people took part in this European election than was the case last time back in 2019. Among those who went to the polls this time there were numerous young first-time voters. The voting age in Germany was 16 for the first time this year.

The newly elected European Parliament comprises 720 delegates. With 96 MEPs, Germany is the country with the most representatives. Next comes France with 81, Italy with 76 and Spain with 61 MEPs. The Group of the European Peoples' Party (EPP) received 25.7 percent of votes, while the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) received 19 percent and the Greens/European Free Alliance 7.2 percent of votes. The exact results of the elections in Germany and the other EU states are published on the European Parliament website.

This is what happens after the election

The first constituent session of the European Parliament is scheduled for 16 July 2024. The MEPs not only elect a new President, they also form new parliamentary groups in line with their political orientation: members of the SPD, for example, are part of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), members of the FDP belong to the Renew Europe group, the Green party is represented in the Greens/European Free Alliance, and members of the CDU/CSU are part of the Group of the European Peoples' Party. Within these groups, the MEPs can form national delegations.

Consultations on top positions

Who will be the new President of the European Commission? Who will take over the Presidency of the European Council? And who will take the post of High Representative of the EU? No agreement was reached in the first consultations on top positions in an informal meeting of the European Council that took place in Brussels on 17 June. The heads of state and government are going to continue their talks at the next European Council meeting on 27 and 28 June.

The Treaty of Lisbon provides that the European Council must take the result of the European election into account when suggesting a Commission President. The President of the European Commission must be confirmed by the European Parliament with an absolute majority.

Federal Chancellor Scholz: "Endorsement of a Commission President in the Parliament must not be based on support from ultra-conservative or right-wing populist parties."

Photo: Federal Government/Bergmann

The Commission President then forms a Commission team. However, it is up to the national states to nominate the Commissioners. As a last step, the entire Commission must be approved by the EU Parliament for a term of five years.

The duties of the newly elected European Parliament

The work of the newly elected Parliament includes electing the President and the members of the European Commission, and deciding on the allocation of funds from the EU budget. In addition to this, the European Parliament ensures the proper functioning of other EU institutions, as well as developing and adopting new laws for the people of the EU.

You can find out more about the Federal Government's European policies on our Europe page.