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Jean Monnet House

Vote: A European Story

The exhibition is open at the Parlamentarium, until June 2024. Esplanade Solidarność 1980 Rue Wiertz / Wiertzstraat 60, 1047 Brussels.

In June 2024, citizens from all European Union Member States will be called to elect their representatives to the European Parliament.

It will be the 10th time such elections have been held since the first direct election to the European Parliament in 1979. It is therefore a fitting occasion to reflect on how Europe’s supranational democracy has unfolded, from the origins of democratic participation on the continent to the step-by-step building of a true European polity. 

This time travel is not just an opportunity to get acquainted with things past, but also a way of helping you make an informed choice at the polling station! Democracy is vital; your say is crucial. 
 

Ten elections that shaped our world

a man with a raised hand to vote

After its first elections, despite its newly gained democratic legitimacy, the European Parliament still had only limited powers. Many people were dissatisfied with this situation, and several outspoken members sought to push for change immediately, if not through legislation, then in practice. For example, broadening the budgetary powers of the chamber became a means of influencing a growing number of policy areas.

1989 European Parliament election poster from Italy

Roughly one year after the Maastricht Treaty came into force, thereby creating the European Union, European citizens were again summoned to vote. Under the new distribution of powers, the European Parliament had greatly increased its standing, now acting as co-legislator on a par with the Council of Ministers.

Roughly one year after the Maastricht Treaty came into force, thereby creating the European Union, European citizens were again summoned to vote. Under the new distribution of powers, the European Parliament had greatly increased its standing, now acting as co-legislator on a par with the Council of Ministers.

The progress of the single currency was about to bring about something tangible: euro notes and coins. A big bang enlargement had just gained speed with the opening of accession negotiations with 12 candidate countries in 1998.

The rift between European countries caused by the war in Iraq needed to be healed, and the EU’s biggest enlargement to date certainly provided a grand narrative to do so. After more than half a century of deep, entrenched division, in 2004 the continent was ready for a reencounter.

European Elections campaign advertising

By the time the Lisbon Treaty came into force on 1 December 2009, not only had there been new elections but also a severe crisis had hit the global economy, with serious financial, social and political repercussions.

In the election of 2019, the turnout was 51 %. This marked the first increase in election participation since the very first EU elections of 1979 and represented the largest-ever transnational election.

Exhibition catalogue

General publications20 March 2024
български
General publications20 March 2024
Español
General publications20 March 2024
čeština
General publications20 March 2024
dansk
General publications20 March 2024
Deutsch
General publications20 March 2024
eesti keel
General publications20 March 2024
Ελληνικά
General publications20 March 2024
English
General publications20 March 2024
français
General publications20 March 2024
Gaeilge
General publications20 March 2024
hrvatski
General publications20 March 2024
italiano
General publications20 March 2024
latviešu valoda
General publications20 March 2024
lietuvių kalba
General publications20 March 2024
magyar
General publications20 March 2024
Malti
General publications20 March 2024
Nederlands
General publications20 March 2024
polski
General publications20 March 2024
português
General publications20 March 2024
română
General publications20 March 2024
slovenčina
General publications20 March 2024
slovenščina
General publications20 March 2024
suomi
General publications20 March 2024
svenska

 

Exhibition leaflet

General publications5 June 2024
Deutsch
General publications5 June 2024
English
General publications5 June 2024
français
General publications5 June 2024
Nederlands