Every five years European voters are called to the ballot box to choose Members of the European Parliament. The vote has a direct impact on EU policy over the following parliamentary term. 

The European elections are the biggest transnational vote on the planet and they shape not only Europe but also the EU’s place in the world.

Find out more about European elections!

Voting in the European elections - VT EE24

Voting in the European elections - 4-5 EE24

Voting in the European elections -16:9 EE24

On 1 November 1993, the Maastricht Treaty came into force! It marked a new stage in the process of European integration by creating 'an ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe'.   

The Treaty is the cornerstone of the European Union that we know today. It gave more power to the people by increasing the lawmaking powers of the European Parliament!  

Did you know that thanks to the Maastricht Treaty you, as EU citizen, can vote and stand in EU elections in any EU country? Your next chance is in June 2024!

The Maastricht Treaty: 30 years of ever-closer union

MEPs have adopted measures to help EU countries protect their interests in the face of economic blackmail and distortive market influences from third countries.     
      
EU states can face coercive measures from non-EU countries unhappy at certain policy stances.     
      
Meanwhile, foreign subsidies can undermine the principle of a level playing field in the EU single market.        
      
Find out more about the Anti-coercion Instrument and the Foreign Subsidies Regulation.

Protecting the EU's economy from unfair outside influence

The rule of law is a keystone of democracy and a core EU value.    
   
MEPs have consistently warned it is under threat in some member states, amid concerns corruption and compromised judicial systems could lead to the misuse of EU funds.    
   
The European Parliament has created a tool to protect the EU’s money and values.    
   
The rule of law conditionality mechanism lets the EU suspend payments that may be spent in ways that flout democratic standards and fundamental rights.   
   
Find out more in our short explainer video.

The rule of law conditionality mechanism decrypted

Voting in the European elections

The European Parliament has given the green light to a new framework to regulate the volatile world of crypto-currency.   
    
MEPs approved a ground-breaking set of rules around crypto-assets, which aim to combat money laundering and market manipulation.  
 
The EU wants to detect and stop illicit flows of crypto-assets, while making it safer for people to hold and trade them.

Protecting consumers with new rules on crypto-assets

Parliament wants the EU budget to become less dependent on national contributions. New so-called 'own resources' are an essential way for the EU to finance key programmes, like the recovery plan 'NextGenerationEU'.

Funding the EU budget: ‘Bringing back social and fiscal justice’

Parliament voiced support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's troop build-up. It also debated the link between EU funds and the rule of law and called for investigations into the use of Pegasus spyware in the EU. MEPs also called for better cross border cancer care and access to medicines.

Plenary highlights: Russia, rule of law and Pegasus spyware

Euro coins have a common European design on one side,  a flexible national design on the other and anti-counterfeit features, for a secure currency symbolising unity in diversity.

How is a euro coin designed?

The single market allows goods, services, money and people to move freely between EU countries, making life easier and better for Europeans and business.

What is the EU single market?

The EU has been granted a number of powers and competencies by its member countries. In other areas, it acts together with the countries.

What powers does the EU have?

EU leaders may have reached an agreement on the 2021-2027 budget and the Covid-19 recovery package but Parliament says it cannot accept the deal as it stands. Cuts to programmes such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe and the Green Deal are deemed unacceptable.

Parliament cannot accept the EU long-term budget deal as it stands

Parliament has a busy year ahead voting on the European Green Deal, new rules for a digital Europe and the EU’s 2021-2027 budget. Updates to the banking union, a trade deal with Vietnam, EU enlargement and more are all on the agenda for 2020!

Coming up in 2020

The European Parliament debated new rules on consumer protection and opening new channels for whistle-blowers to safely report wrongdoing. Road safety technology should be installed in new vehicles from 2022, and European workers in atypical or new forms of employment should have minimum rights. Members also voted on a funding programme to boost Europe’s digital strategy.

From road safety to protection for whistle-blowers: 5 numbers from Strasbourg

A parliamentary special committee is calling for more to be done to tackle financial crimes, tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance. Recommendations include better cooperation between member states, a further push to close loopholes and the establishment of new institutions to oversee the enforcement of tax rules.

Stepping up the fight against tax evasion and financial crimes

Parliament discusses EU-US trade, funding for Erasmus+ in the next EU budget, and vehicle safety regulations. A working group monitoring rule of law and corruption in the EU will release findings on press freedom in Slovakia and Malta. And the Parliament welcomes guests from other parliaments around the EU.

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