European Union: the number of members of the European Parliament will be increased

There could be 720. The European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee voted on Monday to increase the number of MEPs from 705 to 720 after the June 2024 elections. The change was approved by an overwhelming majority of committee members (20 in favor, five against). and one abstained). That green light still needs to be confirmed in a vote scheduled for Wednesday at the plenary meeting in Strasbourg.

Last June, the European Parliament proposed increasing the number of elected legislative officials for 2024-2029 to 716, 11 more than now, to take into account demographic changes in EU countries. Nine countries received places: Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Ireland, Slovenia, Latvia.

France will increase the number of members of the European Parliament to 81

But this formula was not to the taste of France, Belgium and Poland, which also managed to secure additional seats. Therefore, the Council – the institution representing member states – changed the proposal, which now provides for 15 additional seats. Three countries gain two more seats each: France, whose number increases to 81, Spain (61) and the Netherlands (31). Nine countries received one: Austria (20), Denmark (15), Belgium (22), Poland (53), Finland (15), Slovakia (15), Ireland (14), Slovenia (9) and Latvia (9).

The number of MEPs is reviewed before each European election. The Lisbon Treaty provides for a maximum of 751 elected officials (including the president), a minimum of six elected officials from each country and a maximum of 96. Germany, the most populous country in the EU, has 96 MEPs.

The number of seats fell on 1 February 2020 with the departure of 73 British MEPs due to Brexit from 751 to 705 – 27 seats were reallocated to other countries. Elections to the European Parliament will take place from 6 to 9 June 2024. They will lead to renewal at the helm of European institutions, including the Commission and the European Council.