What is the European Parliament?

The European Parliament is an institution of the European Union, which is dual in nature:

> It is the only institution whose members are elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term in office.

> It is the only institution whose powers have been extended as the treaties have been signed.

The last European elections took place from 23rd to 26th May 2019 in the 28 Member States of the European Union. Europe’s citizens were called to appoint 751 MEPs, who will represent them until 2024 – their number has been reduced to 705 when the UK left the EU.

Distribution of seats per country

Member States	Composition of parliament for the legislature 2019-2024	Composition of parliament for the legislature 2014-2019	Composition of parliament for the legislature 2009-2014
Germany	96	96	99
France	79	74	74
Italy	76	73	73
Spain	59	54	54
Poland	52	21	51
Romania	33	32	33
Netherlands	29	26	26
Belgium	21	21	22
Greece	21	21	22
Hungary	21	21	22
Portugal	21	21	22
Czech Republic	21	21	22
Sweden	21	20	20
Austria	19	18	19
Bulgaria	17	17	18
Denmark	14	13	13
Finland	14	13	13
Slovakia	14	13	13
Ireland	13	11	12
Croatia	12	11	12
Lithuania	11	11	12
Latvia	8	8	9
Slovenia	8	8	8
Estonia	7	6	6
Cyprus	6	6	6
Luxembourg	6	6	6
Malta	6	6	6
United Kingdom	0	73	73
Total	705	751	766