but it has its problems, and among its members there are very different opinions. this weekend, citizens across the bloc will elect members of the european parliament. who will shape the eu as it faces defining challenges. so what are the issues driving this election? and what s foremost in people s minds as they head to the ballot boxes? welcome to europe votes 202a. hello and welcome from sunny lisbon, where we are coming to you from today. i m mark lowen, one of the bbc s europe correspondents. and over the course of this programme, we will bring new reports from across the continent as the election gets under way. but first, what is it all about? elections to the european parliament take place every five years. it is the only directly elected institution of the european union, shaping the bloc s policies, legislation and budgets. voting happens by proportional representation. each country gets a number of members of the european parliament, or meps, relative to its size.