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- The European Parliament has elected representatives from each of the member states.
- The number for each member state is broadly in proportion to size of population.
- Germany has the most with 99 and Malta the fewest with 5. In all there are 736.
How large are MEP constituencies ?
The UK, which has 72 MEPs, is divided up into 12 regions, each with between 3 and 10 MEPs who collectively represent the region. When you go to the polls you have a list of the parties that are putting up candidates. You put a cross against the party you want to vote for. Which candidates get elected depends on the number of votes each party gets and the ranking of the candidates within parties.
How do MEPs get elected ?
MEPs are elected for five year terms. The most recent election was June 2009. There are five main political groupings: the European People’s Party, the Party of European Socialists, the Alliance of Liberal Democrats for Europe, the European Green Party and the newly established European Conservatives and Reformists.