The 2024 European elections offer the opportunity for citizens of the 27 member states to renew their European deputies, who will be responsible for developing and voting on European Union laws. This year, 720 deputies will be elected for a five-year term, distributed according to the population of each country. These elections are essential because they redefine the balance of political forces within the European Parliament and influence decisions taken at EU level.
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The European Union adopts its decisions through a process essentially involving three main institutions: the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission. The European Commission, made up of 27 commissioners and chaired by the German Ursula von der Leyen, has a legislative role above all. It is she who is at the initiative of legislative proposals, in all areas falling within the competence of the EU. It also proposes the annual budget and can sanction states which do not respect the treaties.
The European Parliament is the only institution whose members are elected by direct universal suffrage by the citizens of the member states every five years (the first elections took place in 1979). Its role is multiple but, as part of the decision-making process, it studies, amends and validates the texts of laws and the budget proposed by the Commission. He also has a weak right of initiative: he can indeed ask the Commission to study a particular question and propose a law on the subject.
The Council of the European Union, for its part, brings together the ministers of the 27 member states and acts as a co-legislator alongside the Parliament. The ordinary legislative procedure, also known as co-decision, is the EU’s main decision-making process. It involves close collaboration between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, both of which must adopt legislation by a majority for it to become law. The European Commission, for its part, plays a crucial role in proposing legislative texts and ensuring their application.
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A fourth actor can intervene in this process since in the event of a blockage, it is the European Council, made up of the heads of state and government of the 27, which is responsible for finding a solution and resolving unresolved issues. More generally, it defines the main orientations of the European Union.
The impact of the 2024 European elections on the EU decision-making process
The 2024 European elections will have a significant impact on the composition of the European Parliament and, therefore, the EU decision-making process. The new political majorities that emerge in Parliament will influence the laws and policies adopted over the next five years. Additionally, the election results will also have an effect on the composition of the European Commission, whose members are chosen taking into account the European elections.
Indeed, the President of the Commission is elected by the European Parliament, which takes into account the results of the elections to designate the candidate of the majority political party. The other members of the Commission, for their part, are proposed by the Member States and must be approved by the European Parliament.
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In conclusion, the European elections of June 8 and 9, 2024 constitute a major event in the democratic life of the European Union, because they allow citizens to choose their representatives in the European Parliament and to influence the EU decision-making process. By participating in these elections, citizens help shape the future of Europe and strengthen democracy within the Union.
