On 23-26 May 2019, people like you from all over Europe voted in the most important European elections so far. Since the first elections in 1979, voter turnout had decreased with every election. In 2019, we reversed this trend. In 2019, 50.62% people turned out at polling stations across Europe to vote. This is the highest turnout since 1994. This shows that more and more people care about the decisions that are taken by elected representatives in the European Parliament.
As well as more people voting, voters also made sure that more women than ever will take up seats as MEPs. With 41% women MEPs, gender balance in the elected representatives at the European Parliament is still far from where we would like it to be. However, the trend is heading in the right direction. We need to do more to make sure that in 2024, we have at least as many women as men making the decisions in the European Parliament that affect our daily lives. We stand for a feminist Europe.
As the largest progressive force in the European Parliament, our MEPs will now work to take Europe forward and make sure that no one is left behind in the process. Only with people voting for Europe can we work TOGETHER for a social, progressive and inclusive Europe based on diversity, freedom, solidarity, equality and fairness.