Millions of Europeans vote in EU elections

1. What are the European elections?

   

   OSCAR OLSSON/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFPCopyright: OSCAR OLSSON/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP

   Sweden's opposition Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson voting in Stockholm todayImage caption: Sweden's opposition Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson voting in Stockholm today

   At stake this weekend is the make-up of the next European Parliament, the direct link between Europeans and the EU's institutions.

   So Europeans in 27 countries are choosing who will represent them in Brussels and Strasbourg, the two locations where the Parliament sits. There will be 720 MEPs in the next Parliament, and each country has a number in line with the size of its population.

   They will pass laws that affect the lives of every EU citizen and they have to endorse the EU's annual budget, which this year reached €189bn(£160bn). The Parliament shares that power with the Council, made up the EU's national governments.

   The next Parliament will shape the direction of the EU over the next five years, on climate change and migration, greater integration or increased nationalism.

2. Welcome, bienvenue, wilkommen, benvenuti!

   

   Laura Gozzi

   Europe reporter in Rome

   Good afternoon from a sweltering Rome - and welcome to our live coverage of the fourth and final day of the European elections.

   Over the last week, European voters in 27 nations have been called to cast their votes to elect the new 720 Members of the European Parliament. Just today, 21 countries are holding EU elections.

   Will the right make big gains - or will the centre hold? We'll find out a bit later.

   Estimates should start coming in from around 17:00 BST, and we're expecting the first projection of the new Parliament at around 19:00 BST.

   We'll bring you all the latest news, colour and analysis from across Europe right on this page.