Election countdown

Elections take place 4-7 June across Europe
Did you know that the European Parliament is the only EU Institution that is directly elected by the people? Did you also know that once elected by you, Members do not sit in national delegations but in political groups? If the answer to these questions is 'no', then read on and you will see there is plenty to find out ahead of Parliamentary elections on 4-7 June...

• The European Parliament is the one European institution to be directly elected by the people

• The European Parliament passes laws which apply to all 27 countries of the European Union

• The European Parliament must approve the President and Members of the European Commission before they can take office

• The European Parliament works in 23 languages

• The European Parliament meets in two locations: Strasbourg and Brussels

Euro elections in figures
• 27 countries
• 736 Members to be elected
• 375 million potential voters
• 4 days of voting 4-7 June
• 2009-2014 - Parliamentary term
• 1 vote - yours!

• Members of the European Parliament are elected in EU countries in rough proportion to the country's size; so Germany has most members, Malta fewest.

• Members of the European Parliament do not sit in national delegations, but in political groups based on their political views

• The European Parliament supervises the action of the European Commission and can sack the Commission if dissatisfied.

• The European Parliament holds the purse strings of the EU, and has the last word on its annual budget

• During Plenary sessions in Strasbourg 3.5 tonnes of fresh oranges are crushed a day for orange juice!