Advertisement

Image: Daniel Kalker/picture alliance

European Parliament

The European Parliament currently has 705 members, who are elected every five years by universal suffrage. It meets in Strasbourg and in Brussels and also has offices in Luxembourg.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

Fokus Explainer EU-Wahlen

Fokus Explainer EU-Wahlen

Is Europe facing a shift to the right?

A shift to the right in the European elections would change many EU policies.

Deutschland | Omas gegen rechts

Deutschland | Omas gegen rechts

Focus on Europe - Spotlight on People

Right-wing populists could make strong gains in the European elections at the beginning of June.

Ursula von der Leyen giving a speech in front of two EU flags

Ursula von der Leyen giving a speech in front of two EU flags

Von der Leyen's EU reelection campaign: A balancing act

The president of the European Commission wants to secure a second term. But her campaign is a difficult balancing act.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking into a microphone

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking into a microphone

What happens if the EU does not recognize Vladimir Putin?

Calls are rising for the EU to not recognize Vladimir Putin as Russia's president, but experts warn of cutting off ties.

Billboards showing CDU and SPD election posters

Billboards showing CDU and SPD election posters

EU election: Immigration top concern in Germany

Polls for the European Parliament elections will close on June 9. German voters are showing little interest.

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe 2 May 2024

The Gaza flotilla activists stranded in Turkey, why Scotland's Humza Yousaf quit while Spain's Pedro Sanchez stays and media activists call for the right to information. Also: EU election season is now underway, why EU enlargement states have veered to the far right, the end for Slovakia's public broadcaster, Venice's pay-to-get-in rule and Denmark cashes in on Sweden’s Eurovision limelight.

Maximilian Krah

Maximilian Krah

China spying: Krah still tops AfD's EU ticket

Maximilian Krah remains the AfD's top candidate in the EU elections after one of his aides was charged with spying.

Symbolfoto: Spionage Deutschland

Symbolfoto: Spionage Deutschland

German far-right party worker arrested on spying charges

Jian G., an employee of the AfD's lead candidate in the European elections, Maximilian Krah, allegedly spied for China.

Members of European Parliament participate in a series of votes

Members of European Parliament participate in a series of votes

Belgium probes Russian 'interference' in EU elections

Belgian intelligence services are investigating "pro-Russian interference networks" operating in several EU countries

external

European Parliament backs big EU migration reform

Lawmakers in Brussels have agreed on far-reaching reforms to the European Union's migration policies. The European Parliament approved what's billed as a fairer system of settling new migrants among the 27 member states. The changes will bring in tougher border checks and force all countries to share responsibility for migration. The agreement follows nearly a decade of wrangling.

General view of the hemicycle during a debate on Migration and Asylum package at EU Parliament plenary session in Brussels.

General view of the hemicycle during a debate on Migration and Asylum package at EU Parliament plenary session in Brussels.

EU parliament to vote on overhaul of immigration policies

At the heart of the new legislation is a fairer distribution of burden-sharing among the EU's 27 member countries.

The EU border at Croatia

The EU border at Croatia

European Parliament agrees on stricter EU migration rules

European Union lawmakers have passed a landmark reform of its asylum system to reduce irregular migration to the bloc.

A view of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kremlin Tower in Moscow

A view of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kremlin Tower in Moscow

Germany braces for Russian influence operations

Germany's interior minister has warned of "hybrid warfare" by Russia. What does that mean?

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann speaks into a DW microphone

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann speaks into a DW microphone

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP) on her EU ambitions

The German MP told DW that she won't run away from problems at home and wants to continue standing by Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses a crowd

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban addresses a crowd

Hungary: Orban calls for voter support to 'occupy Brussels'

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has given a fiery speech on the anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Hungary: Unfrozen funds to be investigated in EU court

The EU's highest court will investigate a decision to release EU funds to still — allegedly — undemocratic Hungary.

Daniel Freund speaks into a DW microphone

Daniel Freund speaks into a DW microphone

EU Parliament wants to sue EU Commission over Hungary funds

Green lawmaker Daniel Freund speaks with DW's Lucia Schulten.

European Parliament lawmakers taking part in a vote

European Parliament lawmakers taking part in a vote

European Parliament gives final approval to landmark AI law

The new rules are expected to act as a signpost for other governments racing to regulate artifical intelligence.

Andre Ventura of Portugal's far-right Chega party addresses flag-waving supporters

Andre Ventura of Portugal's far-right Chega party addresses flag-waving supporters

What next for Portugal after far right gains ground?

Portugal is the latest EU state to veer to the right, in a likely harbinger of upcoming European Parliament elections.

Sepia-colored postcards show sketches of smiling people next to the words "Release Hostages"

Sepia-colored postcards show sketches of smiling people next to the words "Release Hostages"

Ukrainian civilians abducted by Russian forces

Ukraine's Media Initiative for Human Rights is raising awareness about civilians abducted by Russian forces.

A girl wearing red watches TikTok on her phone, laying on the ground

A girl wearing red watches TikTok on her phone, laying on the ground

AfD eyes young voters in Germany for EU election boost

With German 16- and 17-year-olds now allowed to take part in the European election, campaigners are turning to TikTok.

Yulia Navalnaya stands at a podium in European Parliament

Yulia Navalnaya stands at a podium in European Parliament

Yulia Navalnaya addresses European Parliament

The widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny warned against negotiating with Vladimir Putin.

Yulia Navalnaya addresses the EU Parliament

Yulia Navalnaya addresses the EU Parliament

Navalnaya: Navalny won't see future Russia, but we must

Yulia Navalnaya said that her late husband, Alexei Navalny, won't see a "Russia of the future" but "we must."

A lapwing stands in a resting area on a moorland meadow

A lapwing stands in a resting area on a moorland meadow

European Parliament passes landmark nature restoration law

EU lawmakers have voted to pass the bloc's flagship law to restore degraded ecosystems.

A viewof Skopje, which is among the most polluted cities in Europe.

A viewof Skopje, which is among the most polluted cities in Europe.

EU agrees on stricter air pollution limits

The European Union has agreed on new rules to have cleaner air and zero pollution by 2050.

Partial photographs of a German drivers license

Partial photographs of a German drivers license

European Parliament seeks EU-wide drivers' license bans

Brussels seeks to close loophole that means a driver banned in one member state may still be able to drive in others.

A tractor bearing the words "SOS" leads a line of other tractors protesting in the European district in Brussels,

A tractor bearing the words "SOS" leads a line of other tractors protesting in the European district in Brussels,

Farmers protest in Brussels amid EU summit

Farmers gathered some 1,000 tractors across the EU capital Brussels to press European leaders meeting for a summit.

A survivor of the Warsaw ghetto, an older woman wearing a white shirt and red coat, pauses and wipes away a tear during a speech at the European Parliament in Brussels

A survivor of the Warsaw ghetto, an older woman wearing a white shirt and red coat, pauses and wipes away a tear during a speech at the European Parliament in Brussels

Holocaust survivor Irene Shashar shares message of hope

Irene Shashar, who lived through the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto under the Nazis, hopes her message will resonate.

A man in a black coat sticks a white piece of paper in a black box with the words "ballot box" in white on the side

A man in a black coat sticks a white piece of paper in a black box with the words "ballot box" in white on the side

EU elections a 'prime target' for disinformation

The EU's Josep Borrell warned about disinformation from abroad. But much of it comes from EU politicians themselves.

Young girls carrying bundles of branches on their backs

Young girls carrying bundles of branches on their backs

EU sets new stringent rules on corporate accountability

Big companies will have to act if their supply chains involve child labor, slavery or damage the environment.

Greek Member of European Parliament Eva Kaili surrounded by black shadows

Greek Member of European Parliament Eva Kaili surrounded by black shadows

Qatargate, one year on: EU corruption scandal still unsolved

Last year, EU Parliament was rocked by accusations that foreign actors had paid to corrupt it. What do we know so far?

DW Business (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Business (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Business

The IEA has raised its oil demand growth forecasts despite a weak growth-outlook for most major economies

Pedro Marques speaking into a DW microphone

Pedro Marques speaking into a DW microphone

EU Socialists MEP: Israeli pauses in Gaza not enough

Pedro Marques, deputy leader of the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament, speaks to DW.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks to DW

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola speaks to DW

Metsola: Israel-Hamas conflict 'a defining moment'

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, speaks to DW about the conflict.

Protesters gather in London to protest against the Iranian regime following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini

Protesters gather in London to protest against the Iranian regime following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini

Amini wins Sakharov Prize: Will it help Iranian women?

The award brings hope to women in Iran. Whether it will reinvigorate the cause remains to be seen.

Supporters of Iran's women's movement hold a banner of Jina Mahsa Amini in Berlin

Supporters of Iran's women's movement hold a banner of Jina Mahsa Amini in Berlin

Jina Mahsa Amini wins EU's Sakharov Prize

Amini's death in custody after her arrest by Iran's morality police sparked mass protests.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a podium with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell in the background

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a podium with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell in the background

European Parliament debates Israel-Hamas war

Though the EU unanimously condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas, the bloc is divided about Israel's strikes on Gaza.

DW Business (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Business (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Business

EU parliamentarians are demanding the bloc impose sanctions on Azerbaijan

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual speech on the state of the European Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual speech on the state of the European Union

Von der Leyen flexes green business muscles before EU polls

Ursula von der Leyen batted for green industry in a key speech that could pave her way to another term as EU top dog.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in a DW interview

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in a DW interview

Metsola would 'absolutely' support von der Leyen reelection

The EU Parliament president has said she would welcome a bid for reelection by EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.

Griechenland Volos | Starkregen | Unwetter im Mittelmeerraum

Griechenland Volos | Starkregen | Unwetter im Mittelmeerraum

Looking back at recent extreme weather events in Europe

As European parliamentarians meet to discuss extreme weather, DW looks back at a few recent events.

High-rise buildings in an area with a high level of air pollution in Sofia, Bulgaria

High-rise buildings in an area with a high level of air pollution in Sofia, Bulgaria

Air pollution: Nearly everyone in Europe breathing bad air

With the EU voting on new air quality rules, satellite data shows 98% of people face pollution above recommended limits.

A view of the Nowa Huta area in the Polish city of Krakow covered in smog

A view of the Nowa Huta area in the Polish city of Krakow covered in smog

Air pollution is still a big problem in Europe

Although the European Union has some of the world's strictest air quality rules, air pollution levels are still high.

A picture of Turkish businessman Hakan Camuz

A picture of Turkish businessman Hakan Camuz

Tracking Qatargate's 'Turkish businessman'

A previously unreported connection could be the missing link in how bribes from Qatar reached prominent EU politicians.

A delegate holds up a voting card with the word 'Ja!' (Yes) at the AfD 2023 Party Conference in Magdeburg, Germany

A delegate holds up a voting card with the word 'Ja!' (Yes) at the AfD 2023 Party Conference in Magdeburg, Germany

Germany: AfD to join far-right partners in EU parliament

Alternative for Germany (AfD) delegates at their annual conference voted for ties with other far-right EU parties.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he arrives at the Paris-Orly Airport

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he arrives at the Paris-Orly Airport

France: EU parliament urges PM Modi to protect minorities

Modi has arrived in France for a two-day visit where he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron.

A fruit tree in a field in Germany

A fruit tree in a field in Germany

EU lawmakers pass nature restoration bill in razor-thin vote

The bill had become a contentious issue in the European Parliament, but climate activists welcomed it being passed.

A person looks at a screen displaying the phrase "AI"

A person looks at a screen displaying the phrase "AI"

EU lawmakers lay groundwork for 'historic' AI regulation

Lawmakers say the legislation is aimed at protecting fundamental rights whilst nurturing further development.

Viktor Orban holds a blue folder with various flags in the background and a red carpet

Viktor Orban holds a blue folder with various flags in the background and a red carpet

MEPs say Hungary may be unfit for EU presidency

Members of the European Parliament have expressed skepticism about Hungary's scheduled term as the EU president.

A visitor watches an AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign on an animated screen

A visitor watches an AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign on an animated screen

EU lawmakers take first steps toward tougher AI rules

The move brings the EU one step closer to adopting rules on how AI technology like ChatGPT can be used in Europe.