230. The European Parliament is elected at regular intervals, namely every …

Answer options

1. 1. 5 years.
2. 2. 6 years.
3. 3. 7 years.
4. 4. 8 years.

Explanation

Under Article 14(3) TEU, the European Parliament serves a five-year term; Members are elected by direct universal suffrage in free and secret ballots, as set out in the 1976 Direct Elections Act (as amended). In Germany, this framework is implemented by the Europawahlgesetz and Europawahlordnung; the Federal Constitutional Court in 2011 and 2014 struck down 5% and later 3% thresholds for EP elections for violating electoral equality (Article 38 of the Basic Law in conjunction with Article 23). The first direct elections took place in 1979, enhancing the democratic legitimacy of EU law applicable in Germany. The regular five-year cycle balances continuity with periodic accountability to Union citizens.