European Parliament election, 2004

Elections to the European Parliament were held from June 10, 2004 to June 13, 2004 in the 25 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according to local custom. Votes were counted as the polls closed, but results were not announced until 13 June and 14 so results from one country would not influence voters in another where polls were still open; however, the Netherlands, voting on Thursday 10, announced nearly-complete provisional results as soon as they were counted, on the evening of its election day, a move heavily criticized by the European Commission.

Related Topics:
European Parliament - June 10 - 2004 - June 13 - European Union - Netherlands - European Commission

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Approximately 343 657 800 people were eligible to vote, the second-largest democratic electorate in the world after India. It was the biggest transnational direct election in history, and the 10 new member states elected MEPs for the first time. The new Parliament consists of 732 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Voting was in most cases by proportional voting, using the D'Hondt method for calculating the number of seats to be allocated to each party's candidate list. In Italy open lists are used. In the United Kingdom, closed lists are used in England, Wales and Scotland but the Single Transferable Vote is used in Northern Ireland.

Related Topics:
India - New member states - Members of the European Parliament - Proportional voting - D'Hondt method - Open list - United Kingdom - Closed lists - England - Wales - Scotland - Single Transferable Vote - Northern Ireland

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Results overall show a general defeat of governing parties and an increase in representatives from eurosceptic parties. However, the balance of power in the Parliament remains similar despite the 10 new member states.

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