EU Parliament elections 2024: Turkish-origin candidates mobilize voters

Millions of people across the EU will vote to elect representatives for the European Parliament (EP) from June 6-9, the only directly elected body in the EU and the world’s only transnational legislature.

A total of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be elected for a five-year term.

During this term, they will also select the EP president, a role currently held by Roberta Metsola. These elections occur every five years, with the next scheduled for 2029.

More than 350 million voters from all 27 EU member states will participate. The number of seats each country holds in the EP varies based on its population.

The EP currently includes seven political alliances: European People’s Party, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe, Greens/European Free Alliance, European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Identity and Democracy, and the Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL.

Political context, key issues

The rising influence of right-wing parties in some European nations could result in significant shifts within the EP. Critical issues at stake include agricultural reforms, migration, climate change, the war in Ukraine and global competition with China and the U.S.

Farmers across Europe protested against EU regulations in early 2024, particularly those linked to the Green Deal and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The unrest led to the EU retracting some CAP regulations related to agricultural decarbonization.

Security concerns related to the war in Ukraine are a priority for countries like Germany, Finland and Lithuania. Meanwhile, economic issues such as corruption and the cost of living are central to debates in Hungary, Ireland, Austria, Croatia, Belgium, and Greece.

Migration remains a key issue. In April, the EU adopted the Migration and Asylum Pact to streamline asylum claim processing, improve returns, and enhance crisis response.

Impact on EU leadership

The EP elections will significantly influence the selection of the European Commission President – a position currently held by Ursula von der Leyen.

Although the Commission President is not directly elected, the EP election results impact their appointment, requiring approval from the EU leaders and most newly elected MEPs.

Calls to action from Turkish-origin candidates

In the Netherlands, parliamentary candidates of Turkish origin urge voters to participate in the EP elections to counter the far-right’s rise.

They encourage the Turkish diaspora to vote against far-right influences in the European Parliament, highlighting its importance for Türkiye-EU relations and minority rights.

Ufuk Kahya, a candidate from the Labor Party and Green Left (PvdA/GroenLinks), emphasized the importance of voter turnout to ensure a fair Europe and mitigate far-right influence.

As long as we don’t go to the polls and don’t vote, the power of far-right parties will increase even more.

Ufuk Kahya, Turkish-origin candidate in Netherlands.

Melih Uzun, a candidate from the Democrats 66 Party, also in the Netherlands, highlighted the significance of the EP in making critical decisions and stressed the need for voter participation to prevent far-right dominance. He criticized far-right tactics:

Holding minorities and people of immigrant origin responsible for economic problems or other issues in society is a tactic used by far-right parties.

Melih Uzun, Turkish-origin candidate in Netherlands.

Candidates have also underscored the importance of Türkiye-EU relations. They argue that Europe’s reliance on external powers for energy, trade, and security necessitates stronger ties with Türkiye, a key NATO member.

Moreover, the EU’s credibility in addressing international issues, such as the conflict in Gaza, depends on upholding international law and human rights.