Elections to the European Parliament took place throughout the European Union from 22 to 25 May.
172 million EU citizens elected 751 members of the next European Parliament (2014-2019), in the first of what will be a number of changes in EU institutions' leadership during 2014. Newly elected members will take their seats for the first time at a mostly organizational plenary session on 1 July.
"Citizens across the European Union have exercised their democratic right and made their voice count in the European Parliament elections. I thank all those who have voted," said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. In Wellington, over 60 students and young professionals attended a European Parliament elections night organized by the European Union Centres Network on 26 May.