What you need to know about the European Parliament elections

Some 373 million citizens across the 27 member states of the European Union are eligible to vote on June 6-9 in the European Parliament elections.

Here is all you need to know about the vote:

What is the European Parliament?

The European Parliament (EP) is the only directly elected body of the EU, representing the citizens of its member states. Its primary functions include negotiating EU laws with the member state governments, which are represented by the European Council. The EP also approves the EU budget and votes on international agreements and enlargements of the bloc.

The EP holds significant oversight responsibilities, including the power to approve or reject the appointment of the European Commission president — a post currently held by Germany's Ursula von der Leyen — and the commissioners.

Unlike national parliaments, the EP does not have the right to propose laws but can only negotiate those proposed by the executive European Commission.

The EP comprises 720 members (MEPs) elected every five years. The MEPs then elect their president for a term of two and a half years. The outgoing president is Malta's Roberta Metsola.

Who can vote?

In 21 member states, people aged 18 and over can vote. In Belgium, Germany, Austria and Malta, the minimum voting age is 16. In Greece, people who turn 17 during the election year can vote, while in Hungary, married individuals can vote regardless of age.

EU citizens can vote in their country of origin or from abroad. Voting from abroad is permitted in all member states except Ireland, Malta, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, also known as Czechia. In Bulgaria and Italy, that right applies only to those living within the EU.

Citizens living in another EU country can choose to vote for candidates either from their country of origin or from their country of residence.

Voters have to choose which country's MEPs they'll vote for, but it is not legal to vote in both countries at the same time.

How do you vote?

In some member states, voters can only choose closed lists that do not allow change of order for preferred candidates, while in others they can select individual candidates in a preferential system.

Depending on national laws, some electors abroad can vote at their national embassies, via mail or electronically.

Who can run as a candidate?

Voters may choose from individual candidates or political parties' delegates, depending on the country. Once elected, politicians from each nation will flow into the European groups that form the parliament, based on political orientations.

Some member states, including Germany, only allow candidacy in European elections for nominees of political parties or political associations.

Elected individuals cannot hold functions in national governments or other political bodies such as the EU Commission, the Court of Justice or the Court of Auditors, among others. All candidates must be EU citizens.