In these elections, the 720 MEPs who will occupy the European Parliament for the next five years are chosen, with 21 being elected from Portugal.

Here is some information about how the European Union (EU) works and this election:

Economic Power 

The European Union has been growing steadily since 1957, with the exception of Brexit (the United Kingdom's exit), to gradually become a great power, at least economically.

Made up of 27 countries and with a total population of 450 million inhabitants, it is the second largest economy in the world, with a total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 19.3 trillion dollars (17.7 trillion dollars), according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It follows the United States of America (28 trillion dollars), while China is in third place, with 18.6 trillion dollars.

Other institutions, such as the World Bank, place China ahead of the EU and, based on wealth per capita, the ranking is even more debatable.

Who is in charge?

The European Union has three presidents, each heading one of the three main institutions: Ursula von der Leyen heads the European Commission, Charles Michel the European Council, which represents the Member States, and Roberta Metsola the European Parliament.

Von der Leyen, former German Defense Minister, is the 'spitzenkandidat' (main candidate) of the European People's Party (EPP) and is seeking to renew her mandate.

There is still a constellation of European institutions, from the European Central Bank to the EU Court of Justice, the Economic and Social Council, and the Committee of the Regions.

Every six months, the EU" six-monthly presidency is held in turn by each of the Member States. Belgium currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU and will be succeeded by Hungary from 1 July.

Flags and symbols

With 12 yellow stars arranged in a circle on a blue background, the EU flag does not reflect the number of members of the organization -- unlike, for example, the US flag, with 50 stars representing each American state.

The Europeans have prudently chosen to keep 12, so as not to have to change the flag every time there is an enlargement or an exit -- as happened in 2020 with the United Kingdom's exit (Brexit).

The current flag is also older than the European Union itself, as it is based on that of the Council of Europe, an organization that has nothing to do with the EU. This institution, based in Strasbourg, brings together 46 countries and is the most important human rights organization in Europe.

The EU has also adopted the official anthem of the Council of Europe: Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy."

The countries have the euro, today the strongest symbol of EU unity, although the single European currency is only used by 20 of the 27 Member States.

Is there a "capital of Europe"? 

Technically, no, but in practice, the capital of Belgium, Brussels, hosts the headquarters of the European Commission, the European Council (where the heads of state and government meet), and an imposing building of the European Parliament -- but the headquarters of the EU's only elected institution is located in Strasbourg, in eastern France, which hosts 12 plenary sessions per year.

MEPs spend most of their time in Brussels, where most of their work takes place, such as additional sessions or meetings of committees and political groups, and every month they travel to Strasbourg for plenary sessions.

Other institutions are headquartered in Luxembourg, such as the Court of Justice, and a multitude of EU agencies are spread across the continent.

The art of negotiation

The European Union is responsible for decisions that have made life easier for Europeans: the euro, the abolition of most national borders, and the end of roaming charges for mobile communications between the different member countries.

But to achieve this, an army of European civil servants and diplomats negotiate every word of these directives for hours on end in a multitude of meetings, in the Commission, the Council and, finally, the Parliament.

Worse still, some of these decisions, in the areas of taxation or foreign affairs, require unanimity, and many wonder how a Europe of 30 or even more will function, with the expected arrival of Ukraine, Moldova, and the Balkan countries.

Democracy under threat

In the election campaign, the European Parliament will emphasize the warning that democracy is under threat, asking Europeans: "Use your voice. Or others will decide for you."

The campaign, with a budget of 37 million euros (equivalent to 0.08 euros per European voter), aims to counter the traditionally low turnout in European elections -- in 2019, only 50.66% of European voters went to the polls. Portugal recorded a record abstention rate of 68.6%.

In a video, which is already circulating, Europeans remind their grandchildren of their experiences during times of dictatorship and war and the achievements of peace in Europe. The message is underlined by witnesses who reflect on the Second World War, addressing the Holocaust and the Nazi invasion of France, the Prague Spring of 1968 and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Influencers and digital content creators will also be involved to raise public awareness of the institution and the elections.

What is the European Parliament for?

As a "co-legislator", the EP decides on new legislation proposed by the European Commission --- in most areas on an equal footing with the Council of the EU (ministers of the governments of each country). In addition, it also votes on new trade agreements and monitors the EU institutions and how the EU budget is spent.

The President, responsible for representing the EP externally and in its relations with the other EU institutions, is elected for a two-and-a-half-year term, renewable once.

Successive amendments to the European treaties have guaranteed the Parliament enhanced legislative and budgetary powers. The defense of democracy and human rights, in Europe and the rest of the world, is one of the main flagships of this body.

How do the elections to the European Parliament work?

In the June elections, the tenth to be held, the 720 MEPs for the next legislature, until 2029, will be elected.

Since 1979, Members of the European Parliament have been elected by direct universal suffrage and for a five-year term.

The mandates are allocated according to the population of each Member State -- Portugal elects 21 MEPs. The minimum age for exercising the right to vote is set at 16 in Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Malta, at 17 in Greece, and at 18 in the remaining Member States.

More than a third of the MEPs are women.

And after the elections?

The first plenary session, for the constitution of the Parliament, will take place on July 16. Only after this step will the election of the next President of th>