On June 20, 2024, the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) held a public webinar on the topic "European Parliament Elections 2024: Where is the EU headed?"

In this webinar, Professor Usui (Niigata University of International and Information Studies) began by explaining the overall trend of the EU Parliament from its origins to the results of the current election. Then, the session moved on to experts specializing in the politics of individual European countries, including Professor Uehara (Ferris University) on the rise of the far-right and the situation in France, where elections for the lower house of parliament are imminent; Ms. Takashima (Research Fellow, the　Japan Institute of International Affairs) on Germany, where the momentum of the far-right party, which achieved the second largest number of votes despite being shut out of its fraction at the EU parliament, is attracting attention; and Professor Ito (the University of Tokyo) on Italy with the Prime Minister Meloni, who is gaining more and more influence in the EU as her fraction is gaining ground. Finally, Professor Sengoku (Hokkaido University) explained the results of the elections in the four Eastern European countries and the situation in each country, and deepened the understanding of the political issues in each country and the movement of votes in the EU as a whole. Questions from the floor followed the discussion, and then all panelists discussed the future of politics in each country and changes in the EU as a whole, leading to an hour and a half of heated discussion.