2029 European Parliament election
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The next election to the European Parliament are scheduled to be held in 2029.[3]
Background
The 2024 European Parliament election returned incumbent President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to power under an informal coalition between the EPP, S&D, ECR, and Renew, with mixed support from Greens/EFA.
Von der Leyen Commission II
The second Commission of Ursula von der Leyen was approved by the European Parliament on 27 November 2024 with 370 members in favour (51%), making it the least supported Commission ever recorded.[4][5] The Commissions key policies include a continued commitment to the European Green Deal,[6] a €800 billion defence dubbed "ReArm Europe" to enhance the military capabilities of the European Union amid heightening global tensions.[7][8]
Votes of no confidence
Since the formation of the second Commission, three votes of no confidence have been proposed. The first, proposed in July 2025, was voted down with 360 MEPs against and 175 in favour, with support for the Commission coming primarily from EPP, S&D, Renew, and Greens/EFA.[9] A further two were proposed in October 2025, both being voted down, one with 378 MEPs against and 179 in favour, and the other with 383 MEPs against and 133 in favour.[10]
Potential enlargement
The EU has formally recognised 9 countries as candidates for membership, and 1 country (Kosovo) has applied to be a candidate, however has not been recognised as one yet.[11] As of March 2026, Montenegro has been a key frontrunner to EU ascension and is likely to be the next EU member state, and is hoped to be incorporated as the 28th member state by the end of 2026 or 2027.[12][13]
Opinion polls
References
- ^ "European Parliament". Europe Elects. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "European Parliament". Europe Elects. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "What are European elections and how do they work?". European elections: all you need to know. Archived from the original on 26 December 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Parliament approves the "von der Leyen II" Commission | News | European Parliament". www.europarl.europa.eu. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Parliament approves von der Leyen's right-leaning Commission for Dec. 1 start". Politico Europe. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "EU proposes 2040 climate target with carbon credit allowance". Deutsche Welle. 2 July 2025.
- ^ Ott, Haley (4 March 2025). "As Trump halts aid to Ukraine, EU unveils $840 billion defense investment "ReArm Europe" plan - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Commission pitches '€800bn' defence package ahead of leaders' summit". www.euronews.com. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "How von der Leyen survived the no-confidence vote — by the numbers". 9 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "EU chief von der Leyen easily survives two more no confidence votes". The Associated Press.
- ^ "EEU enlargement". European Union.
- ^ "Kos: Montenegro could complete the negotiation process by the end of 2026 or 2027". Analitika (in Serbian).
- ^ "The EU's plan to stop new members from becoming Hungary 2.0". Politico.