Description
In June 2023, one year before the European elections set for 6-9 June 2024, the European Parliament proposed an increase in seats for nine EU countries. The proposal is to increase the total number of MEPs from the current 705 to a total of 716 (see table in the attached link).
The next step is the involvement of the EU Council, which is responsible for the final decision on the proposal. To be approved, this decision will require a unanimous vote by all Member States.
The maximum number of MEPs under the EU treaties is 750, plus the President. The number of seats per country is decided before each European election. Currently, the European Parliament has 705 seats and no longer 751 (i.e. those present until the UK leaves the EU on 31 January 2020).
The distribution of seats takes into account both the size of the population of the member states and the need to ensure an adequate level of representation for European citizens from smaller countries. This principle, known as 'degressive proportionality', is enshrined in the Treaty on European Union. According to this principle, smaller countries have fewer MEPs than larger countries, but MEPs from larger countries will represent a larger number of people than their colleagues from smaller countries.
The minimum number of seats per country is 6 (Cyprus, Estonia, Luxembourg and Malta) and the maximum number is 96 (Germany).
Source: European Parliament press office
Image: European Parliament press office