What is the European Parliament?

The European Parliament is an institution of the European Union, which is dual in nature:

> It is the only institution whose members are elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term in office.

> It is the only institution whose powers have been extended as the treaties have been signed.

The last European elections took place from 23 to 26 May 2019 in the 27 Member States of the European Union and the United Kingdom, which was still a member at the time. European citizens were called upon to elect the 751 MEPs – their number decreased to 705 when the UK left the EU – who will represent them until 2024.

From 6 to 9 June 2024, European citizens will elect 720 MEPs to represent them until 2029.

Distribution of seats per country

Member States	Composition of parliament for the legislature 2024-2029	Composition of parliament for the legislature 2019-2024	Composition of parliament for the legislature 2014-2019	Composition of parliament for the legislature 2009-2014
Germany	96	96	96	99
France	81	79	74	74
Italy	76	76	73	73
Spain	61	59	54	54
Poland	53	52	21	51
Romania	33	33	32	33
Netherlands	31	29	26	26
Belgium	22	21	21	22
Greece	21	21	21	22
Hungary	21	21	21	22
Portugal	21	21	21	22
Czech Republic	21	21	21	22
Sweden	21	21	20	20
Austria	20	19	18	19
Bulgaria	17	17	17	18
Denmark	15	14	13	13
Finland	15	14	13	13
Slovakia	15	14	13	13
Ireland	14	13	11	12
Croatia	12	12	11	12
Lithuania	11	11	11	12
Latvia	9	8	8	9
Slovenia	9	8	8	8
Estonia	7	7	6	6
Cyprus	6	6	6	6
Luxembourg	6	6	6	6
Malta	6	6	6	6
Total	720	705	751	766