Why European Parliament election matters to wider world

FOR much of the globe, the upcoming election cycle will be dominated by next year’s US presidential and congressional ballots. However, beneath the global radar screen is a hugely important ballot in Europe, for which campaigning has now kicked off, that will determine the direction of the 27-member European Union.

The European Parliament election in June 2024 is not just important for the future of the continent but also the rest of the world, as the EU remains an economic superpower with a collective gross domestic product paralleling that of the United States. It is also the world’s biggest exporter with scores of nations for which Europe is the leading trade partner, ranging from key emerging markets such as China and Brazil.

This will be the 10th European Parliament election since the first direct ballot in 1979. Symbolically too, it will be the first in which there will be no UK candidates in the wake of the United Kingdom formally leaving the EU.