European Parliament elections are held to choose MEPs (Members of the European Parliament), who then represent citizens of their country in the EU. We will learn more about this in chapter 27.
Who can run?
Irish or EU citizens aged 21 or older, living in Ireland.
Who can vote?
Irish or EU citizens living in Ireland over the age of 18.
European Parliament election rules
European Parliament elections are held all over the EU every five years, normally over a four-day period in the month of June. From 2019, Ireland will elect 13 MEPs from three constituencies:
Visit www.whoismytd.com to find out what constituency you live in. Find out which TDs represent you in the Dáil and what parties they belong to (if any).
Choose one TD and research one policy they believe in or one promise they made during the election campaign. Do you believe in the same things they do?
Can you find out about any candidates who ran for a seat in your constituency but were not successful? Would you have voted for them if you were old enough? Why or why not?
THIS TOPIC AND YOU
Imagine you are running for election in your local constituency. Design your poster, complete with election slogan. Would you choose to run for an existing party, for one you have made up yourself or as an independent candidate? If you are running for a party, include (or design) the party logo.