1) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: IS THE ONLY INSTITUTION ELECTED BY DIRECT UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE

The European Parliament is the only institution whose members have been elected by direct universal suffrage since 1979.

Voting is a right! As a European citizen it is your fundamental right to vote in the European elections and the means to take part and influence the running of the European Union. From 4th to 7th June 2009, over 375 million voters are being called to ballot.

Union citizens, resident in a Member State of which they are not nationals have the right to vote and to stand as candidate in that Member State, if they so wish.

2) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: IS THE ONLY INSTITUTION THAT HAS SEEN ITS POWERS INCREASE AS THE TREATIES HAVE BEEN SIGNED

The European Parliament is the only institution whose powers have grown continuously over the last thirty years, whether this is on a legislative or budgetary level - notably with regard to the Council of Ministers and in terms of control, notably with regard to the European Commission.

Voting has a real effect: the continuous increase in power on the part of the European Parliament gives voters political weight and influence which is real.

3) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: REAL EFFECT ON THE DAILY LIFE OF EACH EUROPEAN

Elected every five years the European Parliament is a major player in the European Union's decision making process. It votes and shapes European legislation that influences your daily life notably in terms of the protection of the environment and consumer security.

Voting in the European Parliament elections means choosing who will act and vote on your behalf for the next five years.

4) MEPS: YOUR CHOICE IN EUROPE !

By voting in the European elections European citizens choose the representatives that embody his/her ideological and partisan preferences directly.

Voting is a partisan choice: European voters can influence the political composition of the European Parliament and therefore the orientation and content of European policies.

5) VOTING: A CHOICE IN FAVOUR OF YOUR COUNTRY'S INFLUENCE

The European Parliament is a strategic institution used to influence the European Union's Member States: the European electorate's vote must also be seen as a choice in terms of national influence.

Voting in the European elections will be all the more effective if it is en masse and it will enhance the influence of MEPs within the European Parliament.

6) ABSTENTION: AN ADVANTAGE FOR THE EXTREMISTS

Abstention in the European elections is extremely costly in that it promotes the extremists whose supporters generally mobilise to a greater degree. The non-vote on the part of the abstentionists generally helps in part towards weakening national influence of a country within the European Parliament.

7) THE INFLUENCE OF EUROPEAN LEGISLATION

Increasingly European legislation is transposed in the Member States which means there is a direct influence on national legislation.