The European elections on 6-9 June 2024 opened the next chapter for the European Union. The newly-elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will take a number of key decisions on who will head EU institutions and resume Parliament’s work of adopting legislation and holding the European Commission and other EU bodies to account.

What will be the first tasks of the new European Parliament?

The first plenary session of the new legislative term will take place from 16 to 19 July in Strasbourg. Before that session, the newly-elected Members will form political groups based on shared political ideas.

At the first plenary, the Parliament will elect its new President, vice-presidents and quaestors as well as decide on the number of MEPs who will be sitting in each parliamentary committee.

At a later stage, MEPs will vote to elect a new President of the European Commission. Then they will assess candidates for commissioners through public hearings. The new Commission will need to secure Parliament approval in a plenary vote to take office.

In the meantime, MEPs will resume examining and amending legislation, scrutinising the work of other EU institutions and debating topical issues.

What happens at the first plenary session of the new European Parliament?

MEPs will elect a new President of the European Parliament, vice-presidents and quaestors and take other important decisions about the organisation of their work, for example how many Members will sit in each parliamentary committee.