Netherlands (European Parliament constituency)

Netherlands
European Parliament constituency
Location among the 2014 constituencies
Member state	Netherlands
Created	1979
MEPs	25 (1979–94) 31 (1994–2004) 27 (2004–09) 25 (2009–11) 26 (2011–14) 26 (2014-19)
Sources
[1][2]

In European elections, the Netherlands is a constituency of the European Parliament, currently represented by twenty-six MEPs. It covers the member state of the Netherlands. Until 2009, it excluded the Dutch in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

The 1979 European election was the first direct election to the European Parliament to be held and hence the first time the Netherlands had voted. Four parties won seats: the conservative liberal VVD, the progressive liberal D66, the Christian-democratic CDA and the social-democratic Labour Party. Five other nationally represented parties competed but won no seats. 58.1% of the Dutch population turned out on election day.

Below is a complete list of members of the European Parliament for the period 1979–1984 as a result of this election.

The 1984 European election was the second European election to be held. In these elections two alliances formed successful common lists:

The progressive liberal D'66 lost its two seats and disappeared from the parliament. 50.9% of the Dutch population turned out.

Below is a complete list of members of the European Parliament for the period 1984–1989 as a result of this election.

The 1989 European election was the third European election to be held. The conservative liberal VVD lost seats to the progressive liberal D66, which returned to the European parliament after a five-year absence. 47.5% of the electorate turned out.