The 2024 European Parliament elections took place across the European Union from June 6-9, 2024, representing the tenth direct elections to the European Parliament since 1979. This was the world's largest democratic exercise, with over 450 million EU citizens from 27 member states electing 720 Members of Parliament.
The elections were organized by the European Union institutions, member state governments, and national authorities working in unprecedented cooperation. The European Commission, European Council, European Parliament, and the European Cooperation Network on Elections coordinated preparations to ensure free, fair, and resilient elections. Additional support came from EU networks and stakeholders focused on combating disinformation, foreign interference, and cybersecurity threats.
The election results marked a significant rightward shift in European politics. The centrist European People's Party retained its position as the largest group with 188 seats, securing Ursula von der Leyen's renewal as Commission President. However, far-right and populist parties achieved unprecedented gains, collectively winning over 26 percent of parliamentary seats. Right-wing parties gained ground across multiple regions, particularly in Western Europe, Germany, France, and Central and Eastern Europe, though with less dramatic results than some polls had predicted.
The centre-left Socialists and Democrats experienced slight losses, while the Greens and Liberals suffered more substantial declines. These results highlighted growing polarization and fragmentation in European politics, with significant implications for future EU policymaking on immigration, climate change, and European integration.