European Parliament election, 2014

European Parliament election, 2014
Factio popularis Europaea · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	2014 European Parliament election
Country	European Union
Type	Parliamentary
Previous election	2009 European Parliament election
Previous year	2009
Next election	2019 European Parliament election
Next year	2019
Seats for election	751 MEPs (initial allocation)
Election date	22–25 May 2014
Turnout	42.61%

European Parliament election, 2014 The 2014 election to the European Parliament was held across the European Union between 22 and 25 May 2014 to elect 751 MEPs. It followed the 2009 European Parliament election and preceded the 2019 European Parliament election, occurring amid debates over European debt crisis, Eurozone crisis policy, and rising support for Euroscepticism. The result reshaped the composition of several European political parties and influenced the formation of the European Commission under Jean-Claude Juncker.

Background

The election took place in the aftermath of the Global financial crisis of 2007–2008 and ongoing repercussions of the European sovereign debt crisis affecting Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Italy. Political dynamics were marked by the emergence of new parties such as Podemos in Spain and the rise of established movements like UK Independence Party in the United Kingdom and Front National in France. Debates involved leaders including Angela Merkel, David Cameron, François Hollande, Mario Draghi, Matteo Renzi, Alexis Tsipras, Pablo Iglesias Turrión, and Marine Le Pen. European institutions engaged included the European Commission, European Council, Council of the European Union, and the Court of Justice of the European Union. Transnational groups such as the European People's Party, Party of European Socialists, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, and European United Left–Nordic Green Left vied for influence.

Electoral system and rules

Elections were governed by the Treaty of Lisbon provisions and national laws of member states, with allocation rules influenced by degressive proportionality and the Treaty on European Union. Seat distribution before the Treaty of Lisbon adjustments gave 751 MEPs; seats were contested under various systems: party-list proportional representation in countries like Germany and Spain, the single transferable vote in Ireland and Malta, and mixed methods in Italy. Eligibility and thresholds varied: several states used national thresholds (e.g., Germany), while others like Luxembourg had no threshold. Electoral administration involved national electoral commissions, with campaign financing and media access regulated under national law and guided by European Parliament transparency measures. Voter eligibility included citizens of member states aged in accordance with national suffrage laws, with provisions for expat voting among European Union citizens residing abroad.

Campaign and major parties

Campaigns addressed issues such as austerity policies promoted by institutions like the European Central Bank led by Mario Draghi, European Stability Mechanism, and responses to the migrant crisis and unemployment in regions like Southern Europe. The European People's Party campaigned with leading figures including Jean-Claude Juncker, while the Party of European Socialists promoted candidates such as Martin Schulz. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe emphasized market reform and civil liberties, linking to leaders like Guy Verhofstadt. Eurosceptic and populist parties — UK Independence Party under Nigel Farage, Front National under Marine Le Pen, Party for Freedom in Netherlands under Geert Wilders, Five Star Movement in Italy led by Beppe Grillo — ran on platforms opposing further European integration. New movements like Podemos and older formations like Syriza in Greece mobilized protest votes against austerity and institutions including the International Monetary Fund and European Commission. Campaign themes also referenced treaties such as the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Rome in debates over sovereignty. Media coverage involved outlets like BBC, Le Monde, Der Spiegel, El País, and The Guardian, while debates featured politicians and commentators from Brussels think tanks and NGOs.

Results

The election produced a fragmented chamber: the European People's Party remained the largest group but with reduced seats; the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats made gains in some states; the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party held moderate influence. Populist and Eurosceptic groups such as the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy and the European Conservatives and Reformists increased their representation, with notable national victories for UK Independence Party in United Kingdom and Front National in France. New parties including Podemos and Five Star Movement won significant mandates in Spain and Italy, respectively. Turnout varied by member state, reflecting national contexts: low participation in countries like Slovakia contrasted with higher rates in Belgium and Luxembourg where voting is compulsory. Leadership outcomes influenced the selection of President of the European Commission and led to negotiations involving the European Council and party groupings in Brussels.

Aftermath and political impact

Results prompted the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker as President of the European Commission by the European Council, following consultations among groups including the European People's Party and Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. Shifts in the European Parliament affected legislative priorities on issues overseen by commissioners such as Neven Mimica and Cecilia Malmström, impacting regulation in areas related to the Single Market, Schengen Area, Common Agricultural Policy, and Digital Single Market initiatives. The rise of populist groups influenced subsequent national elections and discussions in forums like the G7 and summits of the Nordic Council and Visegrád Group. Institutional reforms and treaty discussions resurfaced in debates involving Herman Van Rompuy's legacy and the role of the European Council President. Longer-term effects included policy shifts in response to public sentiment expressed in the election and set the stage for leadership changes prior to the 2019 European Parliament election.

Category:European Parliament elections