By Thea Pieridou
Press Officer at the European Parliament Office in Cyprus
The European elections are one of the biggest democratic votes in the world and will be held in all EU member states from 6 to 9 June. In Cyprus, they will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2024, and the 100-day countdown to the European elections has already begun. 372 million European citizens have the right to vote and are invited to choose the 720 members who will represent them in the EC for the next five years 2024-2029.
The European Parliament is the only European institution directly and democratically elected by EU citizens and plays a central role representing them. The EP has a key role in the institutional decision-making system in the European Union (EU), and the decisions of the EP, i.e. the legislation it approves, directly affect the everyday life of citizens. Since July 2019, the EP has adopted with the usual legislative procedure 333 legislative acts that touch all areas of life. To improve the everyday lives of citizens, the EP 1) debates, amends and approves legislation 2) approves the EU budget and 3) exercises democratic control over the European Commission.
The upcoming European elections are a unique opportunity for voters to determine the future shape and course of Europe, and thus their future. This is why the EP's institutional communication campaign to mobilize voters in the run-up to the European elections revolves around the key message: use your vote!
The EP works hard to achieve key issues for Europeans. During the previous parliamentary term, the EP has made significant strides in several areas:
- European Principles and Values
Safeguarding EU values: peace, freedom, rule of law, human rights.
- Health
Better shielding the EU against health crises.
- Economic recovery
Reinforcement of financial support to member states: Cyprus will receive €1.5 billion from the EU's long-term budget and an additional €1 billion from the Recovery Fund in subsidies.
- Social Europe
Rules ensuring adequate minimum wages across Europe.
- Gender equality
Pay transparency to reduce the gender pay gap.
- Digital transition
Clear rules for workers' rights on online platforms and a safer digital space for citizens.
- Green transition
European Climate Law aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. Various pieces of legislation to combat climate change including zero emissions for new cars from 2035.
- Improving the lives of Consumers
Common charger for all mobile devices from 2024, reducing e-waste and saving money.
- Roaming
Eliminate additional mobile roaming charges by 2032.
The next five years represent a unique opportunity for the new EP to continue this momentum, ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of tackling evolving challenges with the ultimate goal always being an even better European Union for citizens.
