European elections 2024 and the EU's next strategic agenda

From 6 to 9 June 2024, EU citizens will elect 720 MEPs to represent them in the European Parliament (EP) for the next legislative period. 

The European Parliament plays a crucial role in the adoption of EU legislation and the EU budget. Legally and politically, however, the European elections are 27 parallel elections in which national parties often compete on national issues, although European issues are becoming increasingly important. 

The outcome of the European elections will determine the composition of the EU for the 2024-2029 legislative period. The EU Parliament elects the President of the Commission - proposed by the Heads of State and Government in the European Council - and later approves the entire Commission. At the beginning of the legislature, the European Council sets out the EU's strategic agenda, the Union’s political priorities for the next five years.

This dossier contains SWP analyses on the European elections and their impact on the EU's institutional structures, its policy priorities and the European party landscape.