The Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO) was consulting on changing the dates of the European Parliament elections. The 2014 European Parliament elections had been due to be held on 5 June, but they are set to be brought forward to 22 May.
The Constitutional Affairs Committee said that the 2014 European Parliament elections should be held from 22 to 25 May, instead of 5-9 June. The Committee overwhelming decided to change the dates of the next European Parliament elections. MEPs argued that this will give more time to the new Parliament to prepare for the elections of the European Commission President in July 2014. Furthermore, the 5-8 June 2014 period also coincides with the Pentecost weekend, which in many member states falls in the school holidays. "At this crucial time for the EU, we have to close the gap between its institutions and citizens, to ensure that they play as full and direct a part in their own governance as possible", said rapporteur Carlo Casini (EPP, IT).
European Parliament elections take place every five years by universal adult suffrage. European Parliament defends EU citizens’ interests in EU decision-making. The members of the Parliament have been elected by direct universal suffrage since 1979. Before that they were just appointed by the member states’ national parliaments.
The draft decision of the Committee must be also approved by the Parliament. After consulting the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers must decide on the election period dates by a unanimous vote.
