The First European Elections

For the first time, European citizens can vote for those they want to represent them in the European Parliament. Before the introduction of direct elections, MEPs were appointed by the national parliaments of each member state. European elections have been held every 5 years since then.

These are the first international elections in history. A total of 410 MEPs are elected from 9 countries. The Socialists win slightly higher percentages than the center-right EPP, however, no group secures an absolute majority, a phenomenon that will become a permanent feature of European elections.