Exhibition
Shaping Europe
Expanding European Union: The 2000s
A new millennium in Europe
Twelve new countries joined, the euro became legal tender, and the Lisbon Treaty was signed. It was a big decade for the EU – what are the events that motivated Europeans to vote in their new Parliament?
2004: Europe's largest enlargement
2004 saw the largest number of countries vote in an EU election, with 10 new countries taking part: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The EU had a lot on its agenda. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, solemnly proclaimed in December 2000, set out the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.
Meanwhile, in 2002, the euro entered into circulation in 12 Member States.
Equipping the Union for future challenges was on policy makers’ minds. The Treaty of Nice (2001) reformed EU institutions to allow for the EU’s enlargement to eastern Europe, and further extended Parliament’s co-decision powers. MEPs played an active role in the work of the European Convention that produced a draft Constitution for the EU in July 2003, from which – following the rejection of two referenda in May and June 2005 – the Lisbon Treaty emerged.
2009: Facing financial crisis
The 2009 elections included Bulgaria and Romania, which had joined the EU in 2007.
Faced with the 2008 global financial crisis, economic affairs were the leading campaign issue, followed by employment and social protection. The fight against climate change and energy issues also drove voters to the polls.
Parliament approved the Services Directive, with the aim of developing the EU’s single market in services. MEPs, representing the voice of citizens, played an essential role in brokering a deal on this controversial subject.
Meanwhile, the Lisbon Treaty was ratified and, with this, the Charter of Fundamental Rights entered into force. Now, EU Member States needed to implement the Treaty.
In this period, the European Parliament launched prizes to foster a stronger European spirit. Starting in 2007, the LUX Film Prize began to shine a spotlight on films that go to the heart of the European public debate. The European Citizen's Prize, launched in 2008, recognises exceptional achievements by Europeans. Since 2008, the European Charlemagne Youth Prize has been awarded to youth-run projects that promote European and international understanding.
