The members of the European Parliament were directly elected for the first time. The parliament held its first session in Strasbourg on 17 July 1979. Louise Weiss as the "oldest member" presided over the chamber. Simone Veil was elected president.

The Decision and Act on European elections by direct universal suffrage were signed in Brussels on 20 September 1976. Following ratification by all Member States, the Act entered into force on July 1978, and the first elections took place on 7 and 10 June 1979.

Louise Weiss was a journalist and politician. She co-founded the journal “L’Europe Nouvelle” later she created a movement advocating women’s suffrage in France. She became the oldest member of the European Parliament in 1979.

Already a renowned politician in France, where she became minister for health in 1974, Veil was elected member of the European Parliament at the first direct elections in 1979. The new Parliament elected her as its president for a period of two-and-a-half years. She thus became the first president of the directly-elected European Parliament and the first woman president of any EU institution.

40 years ago - First session of the directly elected European Parliament

Counting of Eurovotes at ballsbridge, Dublin

Voting in the direct elections Bray Urban district council, CO Wicklow

European Election Campaign

Conférence de presse, July 1979

Simone VEIL chairing the first sitting of the European Parliament elected by direct universal suffrage in Strasbourg.

Simone VEIL newly elected President of the European Parliament during the first session of the first directly-elected European Parliament.

MEP insert their vote in the ballot box on 17 July in Strasbourg. This election would reveal Simone VEIL as the new directly elected President of the European Parliament.

MEP insert their vote in the ballot box on 17 September in Strasbourg.EE 1979

Simone VEIL thanks the Plenary right after her election, one day before her inaugural speech delivered the next day.

Election of Emilio Colombo as new EP President on 1 March 1977

Election of Emilio Colombo as new EP President in 1977

Georges SPENALE in the Commission of the Council of the European Communities for treating the election of representatives to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage

Agreement for the election of representatives to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage

The European Parliament treat the fixing by the Council of Ministers of the direct election of the camera on 20 September 1976

Election of members of the EP by direct universal suffrage

Agreement on the direct election of the European Parliament

Done on behalf of the Political Committee on the adoption of a draft convention establishing the election of members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage - On 24 May 1973, the Bureau of the European Parliament instructs the Political Affairs Committee to draw up a report on the election of the Members of the Assembly by direct universal suffrage. On 13 January 1975, the Dutch rapporteur, Schelto PATJIN, submits the report which will be adopted by the House the following day.

Draft of the election of members of the EP by direct universal suffrage

Archive footage of the first European elections in Denmark in 1979.

First European Elections in Denmark (1979)

Here is an abstract from Louise Weiss' speech delivered in the European Parliament in 1979. Born in 1893, Louise Weiss was a peace activist, writer and film-maker, as well as a prominent journalist on European affairs and a champion of women’s rights. The year 1979 was pivotal for the European Parliament: it was no longer Member States, but citizens, who chose their representatives. On 17 July 1979, the first directly-elected European Parliament – as we know it today – held its inaugural session. It was chaired by its eldest member, Louise Weiss.

EPRS - Speeches that have made Europe: Louise Weiss (1979)

This video shows the citizen's vote in some of the European countries from 1979 to 2014.

Memoclip: European Elections - citizen's vote (1979-2014)

Visit of the exhibition : Elections 1979-2019 at the European Parliament Different examples with panels campaigns from 1979 to 2019

Infoclip: Exhibition Elections 1979-2019 (European Parliament)

Visit of the exhibition : Elections 1979-2019 at the BNU ((National Library University) Different examples with panels campaigns from 1979 to 2019

Infoclip: Exhibition Elections 1979-2019 (National Library University)

This memoclip presents images of citizens voting in different countries during the European elections day from 1979 to 2009.

Memoclip: European Elections - citizen's vote (1979-2009)

This memoclip offers an overview of images taken in different countries during the campaign for the European elections from 1979 to 2009.

Memoclip: European Elections - electoral campaign (1979-2009)

Opening session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, which took place on the 17th of July 1979. Louise Weiss holds a speech as the oldest member of the Parliament.

First sitting of the European Parliament elected by direct universal suffrage - Address by Louise WEISS, oldest EP Member, before the election of the EP President

German citizens participate in the first European elections in Germany on 10th June 1979. They arrive at the polling station to vote. Campaign posters are displayed in the streets.

First European Elections 1979: Germany

‘Italian citizens participate in the first European elections in Italy on 10th June 1979. They arrive at the polling station to vote. Campaign posters are displayed in the streets.

First European Elections 1979: Italy

Dutch citizens participate in the first elections in the Netherlands on 7th June 1979. They arrive at the polling station to vote.Campaign posters are displayed in the street. Wim VAN VELZEN (PvdA) arrives at the polling station.

First European Elections 1979: Netherlands

Irish citizens participate in the first European elections in Ireland on 7th June 1979. They arrive at the polling station to vote. Campaign posters are displayed in the streets.

First European Elections 1979: Ireland

British citizens participate in the first elections in the United Kingdom on 10th June 1979. They arrive at the polling station for the Midlands Central Constituency to vote. Campaign posters are displayed in the street.

First European Elections 1979: United Kingdom

Schelto Patijn, Member of the EP, presents a report on the election of the European Parliament by universal suffrage during a plenary session in Luxembourg.

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