ASSESSMENTS

The Elections for the EU Parliament Promise Further Fragmentation

Feb 22, 2019 | 10:00 GMT

EU lawmakers take part in a voting session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session in February 2019. 

(FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • The upcoming elections for the European Parliament will likely result in a more fragmented legislature, which will lead to a slower and more complex policymaking process. 
  • Nationalist parties will likely increase their representation in the parliament, but not enough to take control of the legislative process.
  • The voting will mark the beginning of the political negotiations between EU governments to appoint the next president of the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm. 
  • The elections will also influence the political strategies of the governments in large EU member states, including Germany, France and Italy.

Between May 23 and 26, every EU country will hold elections to appoint the members of the European Parliament for a five-year term. Representing more than 500 million EU citizens, the European Union’s supranational legislature plays a crucial role in shaping EU policy by approving legislation on a host of issues, including the budget, trade, immigration, energy and transportation. However, this year’s elections are expected to result in a fragmented EU parliament, which could have long-term implications for the bloc's policy direction at a time when it faces mounting political and economic uncertainty. ...

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