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Issue Date: 11 June 2009

European Parliament Results and What Happens Next 

Voters across Europe have delivered gains for the centre-right with the Socialists losing ground. Results suggest that the centre-right European People's party will retain their position as the largest group in the European Parliament.

The 736 newly elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from 27 Member States will meet for the first time on 14 July in Strasbourg.  Their first task will be to form themselves into trans-national political groups and then elect the Parliament's Office Bearers, including a President and 14 Vice-Presidents. Twenty Committees from Foreign Affairs to Fisheries will be formed in the weeks after July 20.

The voter turnout for the elections was 43% according to the TNS Polling agency. This is slightly lower than the 44.4% in the 2004 elections when the then 25 Member States went to the polls.

In welcoming the results of the EP elections, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the elections have sent "very clear signals that Europeans want a stable economy and a new financial system. Europeans want economic recovery that is smarter and greener and sustainable. They want a Europe that safeguards fundamental freedoms and security at the same time".

Results At A Glance:

• The Group of the European People's Party (EPP), led by Joseph Daul, remains the largest group going from 288 seats (36.7%) to 265 seats(36%). The new figure does not include British Conservative Members who have declared their intention to form a new group.

• The Socialist Group (PES) under Martin Schulz had 215 seats (27.6%) and now has 162 MEPs (22%). They lost ground but will still be the second biggest group.

• The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe led by Graham Watson counted100 Members (12.7%). The group will now be composed of 80 MEPs (10.9%). On these figures, the liberals will still be the third largest party.

• The Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance led by Daniel Cohn-Bendit and Monica Frassoni had 43 MEPs (5.5%) and grows to 51 MEPs(6.9%). On this showing, the Greens will form the fourth largest group.

• The Union for Europe of the Nations Group (UEN) led by Brian Crowley and Cristiana Muscardini had 44 Members (5.6%) and will go down to 35 Members (4.8%). This will make them the fifth biggest group.

• The Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) under veteran Francis Wurtz had 41 seats (5.2%) and will now have 33 MEPs(4.5%).

• The Independence/Democracy Group led by Nigel Farage had 22 seats (2.8%). This figure falls to 19 MEPs (2.6%) in the new Parliament.

• There are also 91 Members (12.4%) who are not yet part of any group. Some of these may join existing groups or seek to form new political groups.

The rules for composing a group in Parliament will become stricter in the new term. From July 2009, all political groups must include Members from at least seven Member States.    The minimum number of Members required establishing a political group is 25.

European Parliamentary Election Results

EU in New Zealand Web portal:  http://www.eu.org.nz/

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