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What rules will apply to the 2024 European elections? As the rules differ from Member State to Member State, this infographic provides information on various key provisions applicable in the forthcoming European elections (to be held in June 2024). In a one-page format, readers will find information on the election day in each country, the voting systems used and the number of MEPs to be elected in each Member State, and the minimum age to stand as a candidate, as well as on rules governing voting ...

The European Parliament after Brexit

At a Glance 14-01-2020

Once the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU becomes legally effective, 73 EP seats will become vacant. Twenty-seven of these seats will be re-distributed among 14 Member States. The remaining 46 seats would be available for potential EU enlargements and/or for the possible future creation of a transnational constituency.

With European elections held on 23-26 May 2019, the eighth parliamentary term formally ends on 1 July 2019, a day before the constituent part-session of the newly elected Parliament. Despite the efforts of the co-legislators, agreement could not be found on a number of legislative proposals before the end of the parliamentary term, and these form a major part of the business that needs to be picked up again in the new term. In order to ensure continuity in its work, therefore, Parliament has adopted ...

On 13 September 2017, the European Commission adopted a proposal to amend the rules on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations. The proposal aimed to revise the existing, 2014, regulation ahead of the 2019 European elections, to address specific loopholes. The limited number of proposed amendments focus on providing more transparency, improving democratic legitimacy and strengthening enforcement. However, a more thorough revision will be considered ...

Reform of the electoral law of the EU

At a Glance 27-06-2018

The European Parliament is expected to give its consent during its July session to a draft Council decision amending the Electoral Act of 1976 laying down common rules governing elections to the European Parliament. Among other things, the new rules will put in place a minimum threshold, of between 2 % and 5 %, for constituencies comprising more than 35 seats.

European political parties and European political foundations are currently regulated by a 2014 EU regulation, which establishes European political parties as legal entities, allowing them access to funding from the EU budget. In September 2017, the European Commission adopted a proposal to amend the existing regulation and address certain shortcomings ahead of the 2019 European elections. The European Parliament is due to vote on the proposal during its April plenary session.

Combating sexual abuse of children

At a Glance 05-12-2017

Directive 2011/93/EU on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, adopted in December 2011, establishes minimum standards for the definition of, and sanctions for, such criminal offences, as well as provisions to strengthen the prevention of those crimes and the protection of victims. During the December plenary session, the Parliament is due to debate a report on the implementation of the directive.

World Day Against Child Labour

At a Glance 09-06-2017

The International Labour Organization (ILO) introduced the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002, as part of their efforts to eradicate this unacceptable phenomenon. The day is observed each year on 12 June, and this year the focus will be on the impact of conflicts and disasters. It is also an opportunity to consider what measures have been taken at international and EU level to prevent child labour, and with what success.

Regulation of lobbying across the EU

At a Glance 07-12-2016

The infographic illustrates in broad terms the differences between Member States’ approaches to regulating lobbying (legislation or soft-regulation), as well as the existence of codes of conduct for lobbyists (either provided for by legislation, or through self-regulation by lobbyists’ organisations), and registers of lobbyists (mandatory or voluntary).

International agreements play a crucial role in defining international relations, and are a source of conventional international law. The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties defines a treaty as 'an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation'.