Do you know what's happening at the beginning of June? One of the world's largest democratic events is taking place – mark your calendars! It’s the European elections taking place from June 6 to June 9.
The European Elections, held every five years, offer citizens of the European Union a chance to vote for their representatives in the European Parliament. Essentially, voters select representatives who will voice their interests and concerns on a stage that shapes legislation affecting over 400 million people across the member states.
So make sure your voice is heard!
As a leading European company, passionate about the future of Europe, we want to make you more familiar with the EU elections. Here are our top 10 facts about European elections:
Did you know?
- 1 out of every 4 people eligible to vote in the European elections is a Klarna customer. With around 400M voters in Europe, that's a whopping 100M people who rock with Klarna!
- The European elections are the second largest democratic elections in the world. Outnumbered only by India's elections.
- The European Union has three capitals - or none. While administrative offices are located in Luxembourg, Members of Parliament meet in Brussels and Strasbourg.
- The elections are happening on 4 consecutive days. From Thursday to Sunday, between June 6th and June 9th.
- Dutch voters will be the first ones at the ballot box. Voters in the Netherlands are the first to cast their votes for the European elections.
- In four out of 27 EU countries you can vote at 16. 'Sweet Sixteen' takes a whole new meaning in Belgium, Germany, Malta, and Austria, whereas in Greece young voters need to be at least 17.
- Female representation in the European parliament is rising. The first European election in 1979 saw only 16.3% of women in the European Parliament, but this number has been rising consistently, hitting 40.4% in the 2019 elections.
- The first president of the European Parliament was a nuclear physicist. Robert Schuman was not only a former French prime minister but also a nuclear physicist.
- The European Parliament has undergone two name changes. In 1958 it was called the “Common Assembly” before its name was changed to the “European Parliamentary. Since 1962 it has been called the “European Parliament.”
- Where is the furthest voting location from Brussels. It's the French special collectivity of New Caledonia – 16,296km from the EU capital, in the southwest Pacific Ocean.