The first act of a new European Parliament is to elect its President. Candidates for the Presidency may be proposed either by a political group or by a minimum of 38 MEPs . The election is held by secret ballot. To be elected, a candidate must win an absolute majority of the valid votes cast, i.e. 50% plus one.

If no candidate is elected at the first ballot, the same or other candidates may be nominated for a second round of voting under the same conditions. This can be repeated at a third round if necessary, again with the same rules.

If no-one is elected at the third ballot, the two highest-scoring candidates in that round proceed to a fourth ballot, where the one receiving the greater number of votes wins. (Should there be a tie at this stage, the older candidate is declared the winner).

Election of the President of the European Parliament

The Presidential Debate - EU Elections 2019 takes place on 15 May at 21.00 CET. It is an opportunity to discover where the lead candidates stand on a range of issues.

Political parties put forward candidates for the post of president of the European Commission ahead of the European elections. The lead candidate nominated by the Council, and able to command a majority in Parliament, will be elected President of the European Commission by a vote of Parliament.

The lead candidates are sometimes referred to by the German term spitzenkandidaten. This system was first used in 2014 to select current Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate - EU elections 2019

In May, hundreds of millions of citizens will elect a new European Parliament. EU citizens will carefully evaluate candidates and programmes, before making choices that will shape the future of our continent and our role in the world for years to come.

Election Days - 23-26 May 2019

The leaders’ talks on nominations for the EU's top jobs will continue at the Special European Council on 30 June 2019.

EU leaders discussed the possible candidates for the top positions in the EU at the June European Council, but did not conclude. The European Council plays a major part in appointing high-profile EU-level roles. In 2019 it will elect the European Council President, nominate a candidate for the President of the European Commission, appoint the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and decide on the President of the European Central Bank. They will all take office before the end of the year.

Special meeting of the European Council, 30/06/2019

EU leaders will meet in Brussels to take the relevant decisions on appointments for the next institutional cycle and to adopt the EU's strategic agenda for 2019-2024. The strategic agenda will be used to plan the work of the European Council, and will provide the basis for the work programmes of the other EU institutions.

European Council, 20 and 21 June 2019

From 23 to 26 May 2019, people in the EU voted for the next European Parliament.

This time more than 50% of EU citizens eligible to vote took part in the elections, the highest turnout in 20 years and the first time since the first direct elections in 1979 that turnout has increased.

Europeans go to the polls

The lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Frans Timmermans, 57, was nominated by the members’ congress in Lisbon on 7-8 December 2018.

Frans TIMMERMANS (PvdA, Netherlands) currently serves as First Vice-President of the European Commission. He was first elected to the second chamber of the Dutch Parliament in 1998. From 2007 to 2010 he served as Secretary of State for European Affairs, and from 2012 to 2014 as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mark Rutte’s cabinet. Mr Timmermans holds a degree in French language and literature from Radboud University.

#EUelections2019 - Frans TIMMERMANS, lead candidate for the PES

The European Parliament 's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is responsible for food safety issues, including the labelling and safety of foodstuffs, veterinary legislation safeguarding against risks to human health, and public health checks on foodstuffs and food production systems.

Parliament is also particularly vigilant with regard to threats to consumer health related to cloned animals and nanomaterials or GMOs. It scrutinises and regularly opposes draft proposals for authorisation or renewal of new genetically modified plants such as maize or soya beans. In order to ensure greater transparency throughout the food chain and to better inform European consumers, Parliament, in a resolution adopted in May 2016, reiterated its call on the Commission to present legislative proposals for the mandatory indication of the origin of, in particular, meat used as an ingredient in processed foods. This should restore consumer confidence in the wake of the horsemeat scandal and other food fraud cases. In 2017, Parliament and Council agreed upon new rules to tighten up official food inspections aimed at improving food traceability and combating fraud. During the negotiations, Parliament managed to strengthen enforcement in relation to fraudulent or deceptive practices.

#EUelections2019 - Food safety

The European Parliament works to ensure that its legislative and non-legislative work respects, promotes and safeguards the rights of the child and advances children’s lives both within the EU and in relation to the outside world.

The EU school fruit, vegetable and milk scheme lasts throughout the school year in the participating EU countries.

Aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among children, the EU school scheme includes the distribution of fruit, vegetables and milk products, as well as dedicated educational programmes to teach pupils about the importance of good nutrition and to explain how food is produced.

#EUelections2019 - Children’s rights

Creatives and news publishers will be empowered to negotiate with internet giants thanks to new copyright rules which also contain safeguards on freedom of expression.

In March 2019 MEPs adopted by 348 votes in favour, 274 against and 36 abstentions a new directive on Copyright. This marks the end of the legislative process for the European Parliament that began in 2016. The directive aims to ensure that the longstanding rights and obligations of copyright law also apply to the internet. YouTube, Facebook and Google News are some of the internet household names that will be most directly affected by this legislation. The directive also strives to ensure that the internet remains a space for freedom of expression.

#EUelections2019 - Copyright

On Friday 25 May 2018 the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force.

MEPs approved the regulation in 2016, in order to provide universal and high-level data protection rules across the EU.&nbsp; GDPR will ensure that everyone is able to control what kind of personal data they share with companies and for which purposes.

#EUelections2019 - Data Protection

As of 3 December 2018, Europeans are able to shop online without unjustified geo-blocking, wherever they are in the EU.

For citizens this means that they are able to buy their new electrical goods online, rent a car or get their concert tickets across borders as they do at home. Consumers no longer face barriers such as being asked to pay with a debit or credit card issued in another country. For businesses, this means more legal certainty to operate cross-border.

#EUelections2019 - Geo-blocking

Roaming fees for calling, sending text messages and using mobile internet abroad in the EU banned since 15 June 2017.

Since 2006, the European Commission has taken action to address the high roaming charges paid by consumers for using their mobile phones when travelling abroad in another EU Member State. In 2015, the European Parliament and the Council adopted a fourth Roaming Regulation, which entered into force on 29 November 2015. In January 2016, the European Parliament voted on its resolution 'Towards a single market act' for a timely wholesale review, to end roaming charges for all European consumers by 15 June 2017. During the third trilogue meeting on 31 January 2017, an agreement was reached between the Parliament and the Council. The Final Act was published in the Official Journal on 9 June 2017. As a result, since 15 June 2017 retail roaming charges have disappeared in the EU and EEA/EFTA countries (as they decided also to abolish them). The wholesale roaming charges were again reduced.

#EUelections2019 - Roaming

As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Parliament worked on four legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

#EUelections2019 - Circular economy

The European Parliament has adopted new rules to allow parents and carers to better reconcile their work and family lives.

The new rules for a better work-life balance, adopted on 4 April 2019, aim to increase the employment rate for women, create incentives for fathers to take family-related leave, and promote gender equality and equal opportunities. Parliament and Council agree on measures to reconcile career and private life:

- Ten working days paternity leave, paid at not less than the level of sick pay

- Two months of non-transferable paid parental leave

- Five days of annual carers’ leave

- Flexible working patterns, including remote working.

#EUelections2019 - Work-life balance

On 27 March 2019, Parliament approved a new law banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds.

A milestone success is the ban of single-use plastic products such as cutlery, cotton buds, plates, straws, beverage stirrers and balloon sticks which will be banned from the EU market from 2021.

#EUelections2019 - Single use plastics

European Parliament Press Seminar - A new political agenda for Europe: The priorities of the European parliament group leaders

European Parliament Press Seminar - A new political agenda for Europe: The priorities of the European parliament group leaders.

Sira REGO - GUE Candidate to the Presidency of the European Parliament

European Parliament group leaders statements following the extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents

Press statement by Press statement by Ska KELLER, Greens co-group leader and lead candidate ollowing the extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents

Press statement by Manfred WEBER, EPP group leader following the extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents

Press statements by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and group leaders toon the EE19 outcome

Press statements following an extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents

Press statement by Udo BULLMANN, S&D group leader following the extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents

European Elections 2019 - Election night : statement of Nico CUÉ, EL lead candidate for the Presidency of the EC

European Elections 2019 - Election night - backstage

European Elections 2019 - Election night: Statement by Ska KELLER, and Bas EICKHOUT, Greens lead candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission

European Elections 2019 - Election night : statement of Margrethe VESTAGER, lead candidate for the Presidency of the European Commission for the ALDE party

European Elections 2019 - Election night: Statement by Frans TIMMERMANS, PES lead candidate for the Presidency of the EC

Antonio TAJANI, President of the EP, speaks to the press about the Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government, at the Justus Lipsius building press room, Brussels

(2) Press conference by Antonio TAJANI, President of the EP on the Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government: statement on the composition of the EP and Electoral Law (IT) (13:15 - 13:21)

(3) Press conference by Antonio TAJANI, President of the EP on the Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government: QA (OT) (13:21 - 13:44)

(1) Press conference by Antonio TAJANI, President of the EP on the Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government: statement on MFF (EN) (13:09 - 13:15)

Ahead of the Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government, Socialist leaders meet at PES headquarters in Brussels. Arrivals of Frans TIMMERMANS, first EC vice-president, Joseph MUSCAT, Maltese Prime Minister, Udo BULLMAN MEP, acting President of the S&D group, Stefan LÖFVEN, Swedish Prime Minister, Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ, President of the European Committee of the Regions, Sergei STANISHEV, President of PES, Alexis TSIPRAS, Greek Prime Minister, Federica MOGHERINI, Paolo GENTILONI, Italian Prime Minister. Statement byUdo BULLMANN (S&D, DE).

Socialist leaders meet ahead of the Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government: arrivals and statements

Arrival of Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and statement on the Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government.

Informal meeting of the 27 heads of state or government: arrival of Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and statement

During the EP plenary session (5-8 February 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate a legislative initiative to shrink the EP from 751 to 705 MEPs when the UK leaves the EU and to elect a number of MEPs through “transnational” electoral lists comprising the entire territory of the Union. In another resolution, Parliament says it is ready to reject any candidate for EU Commission President who is not nominated as a “lead candidate” (Spitzenkandidat) ahead of the 2019 EU elections. Statements by Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL), Jo LEINEN (S&D, DE), Monika PANAYOTOVA, Deputy Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, Paulo RANGEL (EPP, PT) and António MARINHO E PINTO (ALDE, PT).

Reform of the electoral law of the European Union: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session of February the EP voted on the decision on the early termination of the office of a EP Vice-President, on the composition of the EP in the perspective of the European elections, on the revision of the Framework Agreement on relations between the EP and the EC, on the protection and non-discrimination with regard to minorities in the EU Member States and on a resolution zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation.

EP Plenary session - Votes

Press conference by Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL) and Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), rapporteurs, speak to the press about the composition of the European Parliament, during the EP plenary session (5-8 February 2018) in Strasbourg.

Press conference by Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL) and Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), rapporteurs, on the composition of the European Parliament

During the EP plenary session (5-8 February 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs vote the composition of the European Parliament. The European Parliament should shrink from 751 to 705 MEPs when the UK leaves the EU and a number of MEPs should be elected through “transnational” electoral lists comprising the entire territory of the Union. The results are: 400 in favour, 183 against and 96 abstentions.

The Composition of the European Parliament: extracts from the vote

During the EP plenary session (5-8 February 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the composition of the European Parliament. The European Parliament should shrink from 751 to 705 MEPs when the UK leaves the EU and a number of MEPs could be elected through “transnational” electoral lists comprising the entire territory of the Union. Statements by Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL), Rapporteur, Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), Rapporteur, György SCHÖPFLIN (EPP, HU), Mercedes BRESSO (S&D, IT), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE) and Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (EFDD, IT).

Composition of the European Parliament: extracts from the debate

During the meeting of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) in the EP in Brussels, MEPs vote on a new distribution of Parliament's seats for the 2019 -2024 legislative term. MEPs also vote on whether or not to set up transnational electoral lists comprising the entire territory of the European Union. Statements by Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL) and Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT)

Composition of the European Parliament: extracts from the vote and statements by Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL) and Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT)

This Infoclip shows the use of a variation of herbicides, including those containing glyphosate, around the city of Leuven, Belgium.

Infoclip: Herbicides

This infoclip illustrates the use of plastic bags by food industry and supermarkets. Various shots of products displayed in the supermarket, fruits and vegetables in plastic bags and plastic carrier bags used by consumers. Outside views with plastic bags thrown away in the nature.

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