European Parliament elections

05.06.2024

European Parliament elections

Why in the news?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

            The European Parliament elections this week will determine representatives who negotiate EU laws with member state governments, ensuring citizens' representation in the EU.

About the European Parliament:

• It is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union (EU).
• It is one of the EU's main institutions and represents the citizens of the EU member states.
• The Parliament is headquartered in Strasbourg, France, but its work is conducted in three locations: Strasbourg, Brussels (Belgium), and Luxembourg.

Primary Functions:

• Negotiating EU laws with member state governments.
• Approving the EU budget.
• Voting on international agreements and enlargements.
• Approving or rejecting the appointment of the European Commission president and commissioners.

Composition, Term and Leadership:

• The EP comprises 720 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who are elected by EU citizens every five years.
• MEPs then elect their president for a term of two and a half years.

Candidacy:

○All candidates must be EU citizens.

○Voters may choose from individual candidates or delegates from political parties.

○Once elected, politicians from each nation join the European groups based on their political orientations.

• Restrictions for elected individuals: Elected MEPs cannot hold functions in national governments or other political bodies such as the EU Commission, the Court of Justice, or the Court of Auditors.

Voting from abroad:

• EU citizens can vote either in their country of origin or from abroad.
• Voting from abroad is permitted in most member states except Czechia, Ireland, Malta, and Slovakia.
• In Bulgaria and Italy, this right applies only to those living within the EU.

Voting process:

• Some member states use closed lists, while others allow voters to select individual candidates in a preferential system.
• Electors abroad can vote at their national embassies, via mail, or electronically.

                                                            Source: Indian Express

Ques :- Consider the following statements with reference to the European Parliament:

Statement-I

It is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union (EU).

Statement-II

The Parliament is headquartered in Paris, France.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer C