More MEPs for some countries, less for most

The number of MEPs elected from the EU's 27 Member States - currently totalling 785 - will go down to 736 after the upcoming European Elections as a number of large EU countries are set to lose a significant number of sets.

The UK, France and Italy will lose six MEPs, Spain and Poland four, Greece, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Portugal two each.

Malta and a few other small countries like Estonia, Cyprus and Luxembourg are set to retain the same number of seats pending the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty which foresees a marginal increase in the number of MEPs, to 751. Malta will gain an extra seat.

Does the number of seats keep changing?

Member States seek greater influence on the European Parliament by obtaining the highest possible number of seats. With new countries joining the EU, however, larger countries have had to give up seats to make room for new MEPs.

Since 1958, the number of Member States has climbed from six to 27 and the number of MEPs has jumped from 142 to 785 to reflect the proportional representation of the EU's population in the EP.

Why does it sound so complicated this time round?

The issue of seat allocation in the European Parliament has become further complicated due to the uncertainty brought about by the rejection of the Treaty of Lisbon in Ireland. The Irish "No" in the 2008 referendum has had a direct impact on European Elections as it became unclear how many seats would be up for grabs.

If the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force after the 2009 elections, the total number of MEPs will temporarily rise to 754 until 2014. Germany, the most populous Member State would be the only country to "lose" MEPs under the Lisbon Treaty. It would, however, be allowed to keep all its 99 MEPs until the next round of European elections.

Fact 1:

MEPs in 2008: 785

MEPs after 2009 elections: 736

MEPs under Lisbon Treaty (until 2014): 754

Fact 2:

The 2009 European elections will take place on 4-7 June, 2009, in each of the 27 Member States of the European Union. More than 375 million EU citizens will be able to vote for their chosen representative for a five-year period: 736 MEPs from 27 Member States.

Fact 3:

When will Europeans go to the polling stations?

The 2009 elections will take place between 4 and 7 June, 2009. The actual polling days will vary from country to country according to local custom, and the results from each of the 27 Member States will not be made known until the evening of June 7.

The UK and Netherlands will vote on 4 June.

Ireland will vote on 5 June.

The Maltese, Latvians, Cypriots, and Slovakians will go to the polling stations on Saturday, June 6.

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden will hold the elections on 7 June.

In certain Member States, the voting period will be spread over two days: 5 and 6 June for the Czech Republic, 6 and 7 June for Italy.

Bulgaria and Hungary do not have official dates yet. However, elections are normally held on Sundays in both countries.