The European Parliament Elections: Voting gets underway in the UK and the Netherlands
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Voting has opened in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands for the European Parliament elections. The first two countries to vote in a process that ends on Sunday.
Seventy-three members, known as MEPs, will be elected in nine constituencies in England, and one each in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Each region has a different number of representatives based on its population – ranging from three MEPs in the North East and Northern Ireland to 10 MEPs in the South East.
MEPs are elected in the order listed by their party, based on the total share of the vote in each region.
In the nine English regions, Wales and Scotland, the number of MEPs is calculated using a form of proportional representation known as the D’Hondt formula, and each voter can choose one party or individual to back.
The process is slightly different in Northern Ireland, where the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system is used, allowing voters to rank the parties standing in order of preference.
Dutch voters cast their ballot for the European Parliament elections at Utrecht Central Station, in Utrecht, The Netherlands, 23 May 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN
The Netherlands will elect the 26 Dutch members of the European parliament. In total, 13.5 million people are eligible to vote in the Netherlands, including 60,000 EU nationals who have registered to take part here. Turnout is usually under 40%.
The Christian Democrats are currently the biggest grouping in Brussels, with the Dutch CDA contributing five seats. But indications are that the far right and nationalist groupings to make major gains this year. In the Netherlands, newcomer and Nexit party Forum voor Democratie is neck and neck with the ruling pro-Europe VVD Liberals in the European election polls.
These elections will determine the members of the European Parliament. The European Parliament consists of 751 seats – 750 European parliamentarians and one president – distributed over the 28 member states. The Netherlands currently has 26 seats in the European Parliament. That will increase to 29 once the United Kingdom leaves the EU.
British Labour party Leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after voting in the European Parliament election at a polling station in London, Britain.
The European elections will be held in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom on Thursday. In Ireland and Czech Republic on Friday. In Czech Republic, Latvia, Malta and Slovakia on Saturday. And in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden on Sunday.
The results will be announced once all EU nations have voted, with the voting process expected to be completed by Sunday evening.
