The European Parliament is looking to add 11 seats after the 2024 elections to reflect demographic changes within the European Union.
The extra seats would reflect population changes in nine Member States and would ensure that they are fairly represented in the European Parliament. Specifically, the countries identified for one more seat are: Austria, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Ireland, Slovenia and Latvia. The Netherlands and Spain would each receive two more European representatives.
The proposal was put to a parliamentary vote on Thursday and was adopted by 316 votes to 169, with 67 abstentions.
Belgium also requested one or two extra seats after the 2024 elections. Meanwhile France requested up to four additional seats, a wish that would have weakened Germany's numerical superiority in the hemisphere.
Under the European treaties, the Parliament has a maximum of 751 members. Since Brexit, 705 seats are currently occupied.
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The EU heads of state and government will now have to pass the proposal, with the unanimous approval of the Council. This is likely to happen, the proposal's Romanian co-rapporteur Lorant Vincze stated.
MEPs also confirmed their wish to retain a reserve of 28 seats for a future EU-wide constituency. They warned that any further delay in the Council’s work on this reform would run counter to the principle of loyal cooperation.
"The composition of the Parliament goes hand in hand with the new European electoral law," French co-rapporteur Sandro Gozi said. "Both are essential to achieving elections in 2024 that are both more European and more representative."
