Lessons from the 2024 European elections: MEPs call for deep reforms
- 50.74% turnout marks progress, but youth engagement and participation by vulnerable groups still lagging
- Proposals include continued support for the lead candidate process and pending reforms of EU electoral law
- MEPs push for stronger defence against disinformation and political interference, and for full enforcement of digital rules to protect election integrity
- National data collection frameworks need to be harmonised to support evidence-based EU-level policy
The Committee on Constitutional Affairs calls for EU-level electoral reform, citing uneven participation, disinformation threats, and a lack of harmonisation.
The report (adopted on Wednesday by 20 votes for, 8 against, and 1 abstention), takes stock of the 2024 EU elections. MEPs stress that the EU’s ability to address contemporary challenges depends on resilient, fair, and inclusive electoral processes, for which revision and modernisation is needed.
European democracy after the elections, and reform proposals
Turnout hit a 25-year high of 50.74%, but MEPs warn of structural issues, including data gaps on dual citizenship and administrative barriers for 11 million mobile EU citizens. They highlight disparities in participation across member states, which relate to vulnerable groups in particular, as well as a decline in the youth turnout. They stress that, although Europeans were motivated by shared concerns, public discourse continues to be dominated by national angles. MEPs therefore advocate for a cultural shift, in close cooperation with civil society and societal stakeholders.
The report cites growing public awareness of Parliament’s increasing impact on daily life, noting the role of Parliament’s ‘Use your vote, or others will decide for you’ campaign. National parties and media are urged to improve the visibility of EU-level politics, while MEPs pledge to foster a more enabling regulatory environment.
MEPs reaffirm strong support for the lead candidate (Spitzenkandidaten) process, which increases citizens’ electoral footprint. They reiterate the key points of stalled electoral reforms, including a common voting day and uniform voting age rules, as well as measures to facilitate participation, such as postal voting. MEPs welcome the deal on updated rules for European political parties and foundations, which will help boost EU political awareness, enhance transparency, and strengthen democracy by closing remaining loopholes, bringing legal clarity, and ultimately empowering European political parties to fulfil their role under the EU Treaties. Las but not least, they call for all member states to implement limits to political donations and a ban on all foreign contributions.
Institutional resilience
MEPs underline the need for a better connection between local, national, and EU levels in the run up to European elections. They stress that countering anti-democratic rhetoric is most effective closer to citizens and emphasise the role of cohesion policy in countering euroscepticism in economically stagnant regions. They express alarm at both internal and external threats to democracy, condemning candidates – including some from governing parties – who ran on false, foreign-backed anti-EU messages. MEPs reiterate their concern over malicious interference, such as disinformation by Russian and other actors, intended to polarise and sow mistrust. They also criticise the outsized influence of online platforms, and condemn politically driven decisions that risk harming free expression and pluralism.
The text voices deep concern over incidents of political violence in the run-up to the elections, calling for stronger protection for politicians, activists, and journalists. It also highlights that election fraud does not start on election day, but with the dismantling of EU values and the spread of foreign disinformation and propaganda in the months and years beforehand.
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Rapporteur Ľubica Karvašová (Renew, SK), commented: “European democracy is only as strong as the integrity of our elections. This Report recognises that 2024 elections followed unprecedented crises, while resisting internal and external threats to our democracy. Certain reforms are necessary to make the elections truly European and resilient for the future, including through fighting disinformation and limiting the influence of social media platforms.”
Next steps
The report is expected to be tabled for a vote at Parliament’s September plenary session in Strasbourg.
Yhteystiedot:
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Kyriakos KLOSIDIS
Press Officer