Confirmation of dates for the 2019 European Parliament elections

Summary:

The Council of the European Union agreed on 20 March 2018 to establish 23-26 May 2019 the dates for the forthcoming European Parliament elections.

The European Parliament's plenary session backed the dates on 18 April under the consultation procedure. The dates were then confirmed by the Council on 22 May.

Further information:

Elections to the European Parliament take place every five years. Under the 1976 Electoral Act, the elections to the EP should take place from 6 to 9 June 2019. As member states deemed it 'impossible' to hold the elections at that time, the Council unanimously agreed, in accordance with the Electoral Act, to choose alternative dates for the elections.

• Primary Source

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 20.03.18: Council agrees dates for the 2019 European Parliament elections http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/03/20/council-agrees-dates-for-the-2019-european-parliament-elections/

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Period for the ninth election of representatives to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil-mobile/fiche-procedure/2018/0805(CNS)

European Parliament: Press Release, 18.04.18: European elections: MEPs back voting dates for 2019 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20180411IPR01519/

The Irish Times, 16.04.18: Next European elections to take place in May 2019 https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/next-european-elections-to-take-place-in-may-2019-1.3463902

Reuters, 20.03.18: EU sets May 26 for 2019 EU parliament election https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1GW17V

Sofia Globe, 20.03.18: Council of the EU proposes May 23-26 2019 as dates for next European Parliament election https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/03/20/council-of-the-eu-proposes-may-23-26-2019-as-dates-for-next-european-parliament-election/

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