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.

VEIL, Simone (LDR, FR)

1979 European elections (T)

WEISS, Louise (DEP, FR)

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

First sitting of the European Parliament elected by direct universal suffrage: election of Simone VEIL as EP President

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

Plenary session in Strasbourg in july 1979 - Election of Simone VEIL as President of the Parliament

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.

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

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

Plenary session in Strasbourg in july 1979.First session of the directly-elected European ParliamentElection of Simone VEIL as President of the Parliament

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