Following the results of the EU elections, we take stock of what to expect for science in Europe for the next few years. Some of the main figureheads of the planning and design of Horizon Europe have been re-elected, including MEP Dan Nica of Romania and Germany’s MEP Christian Ehler, which may suggest some continuity in the planning.

So, what happens now that the EU elections are over? Until early July, newly elected Members of the Parliament will form political groups. At the same time, the European Council will discuss possible candidates for the presidency of the European Commission, which will then be proposed to the European Parliament in July for an election by majority of its component members. EU countries then have September and October to designate commissioners, with the inauguration of the new European Commission planned for November this year. During this time, the European Parliament’s Committees (such as the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)) will be formed with the aim of working on ‘paused’ legislation from the outgoing Parliament and on new files. Take a look at this handy European Parliament graphic to better understand the timeline, and read Science/Business’ pertinent analysis of what the election results mean here.