EU elections: What are the key issues that could be a turning point for European voters?


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On Thursday June 6, hundreds of millions of Europeans will head to the polls for a unique and significant election. Instead of choosing their national governments, voters will elect representatives to the European Parliament in Strasbourg in the world's only popularly elected multinational legislature.

The context of these elections is vastly different from the last European elections in May 2019. Since then, the UK has exited the EU, and the continent has endured the global pandemic. Despite these changes, pressing issues such as migration, climate change, economic uncertainty and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza continue to dominate European politics.

The choices made by voters will significantly influence the domestic and foreign policies of one of the world's most crucial political and economic blocs.

In this episode of the Year of Elections podcast, host Declan McVeigh delves into the coming elections, with insights from Sunniva Rose, The National’s correspondent in Brussels, and Dubai-based international relations professor Justin Gibbins to explore how these elections are set to unfold, as well as their potential impact on Europe’s future.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

 


 

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Updated: September 26, 2024, 7:32 AM
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