232. Who is elected in the European Parliament elections?

Answer options

1. the European Commission
2. the states permitted to accede to the EU
3. the European Constitution
4. the Members of the European Parliament

Explanation

In the European Parliament elections, Union citizens directly elect Members of the European Parliament by universal, direct, free, equal, and secret suffrage (Art. 14(3) TEU; European Electoral Act and national law). Neither the European Commission, nor prospective Member States, nor a “European constitution” are chosen by voters; the Commission is proposed by the European Council and requires Parliament’s consent (Art. 17(7) TEU), and accessions occur under Art. 49 TEU. In Germany, participation in the EU is grounded in Art. 23 of the Basic Law, and the Federal Constitutional Court struck down 5% and later 3% thresholds for EP elections as violating electoral equality (2011/2014). These elections provide democratic legitimacy for EU lawmaking because Parliament co-legislates under the ordinary legislative procedure (Art. 289 TFEU).