About

This interactive map makes the EU (European Union) easier to understand. It is not a perfect map because it is simplified. But we hope it makes it easier to decide how to vote, whichever candidate, party or policy you support.

The next elections for the European Parliament will be held in the 27 member states of the European Union between 4 and 7 June 2009. The European Parliament is the only directly elected body of the EU.

The EU is a complex organization, and few ordinary citizens understand how it works. This may be a contributing factor to low voter turnout around Europe. In 2004 the voter turnout in Finland was just 41.1%. In the UK, 11 million voted in the 1999 European elections, while 23 million voted on the Big Brother TV show in 2002.

Remember that the EU is still a work in progress. It is changing, and many critics are pushing for even simpler procedures. If the Treaty of Lisbon is accepted, it will lead to some streamlining. It will also increase the power of the Parliament. However, the many fine words that the EU issues about itself, cover up a shortage of practical democracy. In reality, MEPs have much less influence on decision making and funding than at first appears. These coming elections are chance to show our support for the Parliament and speed up change.

So explore the map. Roll your mouse over any institution to see a short description. Click on any institution and a text panel will pop up with more explanation. You can also print these texts for yourself.

And please remember to vote. It’s important.

The Swedish People's Party of Finland sponsored this interactive map of the EU as a contribution to the future of the European Parliament, and a more democratic European Union.

www.aboutEU.fi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 1.0 Finland License.