How are MEPs elected?
How are MEPs elected?
Since the first direct elections in 1979, European elections take place every five years.
There are 705 MEPs (720 after the 2024 elections) and EU treaties establish seat allocation per country. Each Member State returns a set number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs); from six, in smaller Member States like Malta, Luxembourg and Cyprus to ninety-six in Germany, the largest.
Countries with larger populations return more seats than smaller ones. However, the principle of “degressive proportionality” ensures more seats per capita go to less populous Member States.
National electoral laws and traditions largely govern European, but there are some common EU rules laid down in the Electoral Act of 1976.