Possible changes to next year's election timetable

The European Union's press office has issued the following statement:

Electoral period for next European Parliament to be advanced 

The Permanent Representatives Committee today endorsed a draft Council decision 
bringing forward the period of the next European Parliament's elections from 5-8 June to 
22-25 May 2014. The draft decision's main objective is to ensure optimal conditions for the
elections and hereby to strengthen the European Parliament's legitimacy. It also responds 
to a request by the European Parliament. In 2005 the Parliament asked to bring forward the 
date of the election to May so that it can better organise itself to expedite the election of the 
new Commission President and avoid the beginning of the summer vacation in several 
member states. 

The draft decision still needs to be formally adopted by the Council by unanimity after 
having consulted the European Parliament. 

It is likely that the Westminster government will move to put back English local elections (including those in Greater London) to 22nd May also.