European Parliament Logo PNG
The European Parliament’s logo reflects the organization’s democratic spirit. When updating the emblem, all elements were saved. The rebranding made the visual sign more balanced and harmonious.
The European Parliament grew out of postwar Western European integration. In 1951, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg signed the Treaty of Paris, creating the European Coal and Steel Community. Its Common Assembly had 78 delegates appointed by national parliaments and first met in Strasbourg in September 1952.
The 1957 Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community and Euratom. In 1958, the parliamentary bodies of the three communities were merged into the European Parliamentary Assembly, with 142 members from the six founding states. Robert Schuman was elected the first president. In 1962, the Assembly began calling itself the European Parliament, though the treaties later formally fixed the name.
For its first decades, the body had limited power and was not directly elected. That changed in 1979, when citizens of nine member states voted in the first direct elections, choosing 410 members. Parliament remained largely consultative during the 1970s and 1980s, while the Council of the European Communities retained real legislative authority.
Its role expanded through several treaties. The Single European Act of 1986 introduced the cooperation procedure, while the 1992 Maastricht Treaty created the European Union and gave Parliament a stronger role alongside the Council. The Amsterdam Treaty of 1997 and the Nice Treaty of 2001 expanded those powers. In 2009, the Lisbon Treaty made the ordinary legislative procedure the main lawmaking system. EU enlargements increased the number of members, but after the United Kingdom voted to leave in 2016 and exited in 2020, Parliament’s size fell from 751 to 705 seats.
Meaning and History
The European Parliament has its own official logo. Its elements symbolize democracy and openness, the main qualities the European Union legislature upholds. The emblem, created in 2015, features the institution’s name and the EU flag, depicted as a blue rectangle with 12 yellow five-pointed stars and 5 stylized gray concentric rings representing the meeting room. Until 2015, the design differed, but the main components remained in the same layout.
What is the European Parliament?
The European Union’s governing body, headquartered in Strasbourg, can legislate, set most budget lines, and oversee the European Commission.
Until 2015
Until 2015, the emblem emphasized the Union flag. It is a blue canvas with golden stars in a round dance, symbolizing the sky and the unification of all European countries. The number of stars was controversial. The number 12 was chosen as a result is symbolic:
- Corresponds to the clock on the dial. People are together at all times.
- This alludes to the 12 zodiac constellations. Europe brings together people of different views, characters, and religions. And they are all equal and valuable.
- The flag’s designer was a Catholic. According to his idea, the circle represented the Woman’s crown in the Book of Revelation. It symbolizes the precious tribes of Israel to God. Each community country is like a star in a democratic, open, and friendly union.
- The crown of immortality ensures the association’s longevity.
Under the flag, the inscription “European Parliament” appears in a simple, even font, in capital letters. It conveys a working atmosphere, the body’s importance, and direct, open decision-making.
The logo depicts the conference hall schematically as a small sector behind the flag. He hinted that Parliament makes decisions jointly in the General Assembly.
2015 – today
In May 2014, regular elections were held in the European Parliament. The cadence is unusual: since 2014, deputies have elected the head of the EU executive power (the President of the European Commission). It was decided to reflect the new team’s renewal and progressive spirit by changing the logo.
The new visual sign has become more balanced. The conference room layout is shown in full, with an oval-shaped emblem divided into sectors. The image shows a slight forward tilt of the disc. The different sector heights show the room’s scale. The figure shows that many countries are represented in Parliament, indicating that all parties’ interests are considered.
The oval’s height and slope also reflect the meeting room’s features. The chair and secretariat sectors are slightly elevated compared to the other seats.
The flag on the new emblem has been enlarged. It covers the largest section of the hall and stands out as the Parliament’s main symbol. The number of stars has not changed. But now their number is explained more by political reasons. When the flag was adopted, there were 15 EU members, but recognition of one state was controversial; 14 states rejected two states from the union, and 13 states were in trouble. And 12 came together to form a symbol of perfection. This approach to choice demonstrates the organization’s democratic nature. The logo also reflects Parliament’s values. Today, the European Parliament stands as a symbol of democracy.
The double use of the circle in the hall’s design and on the flag emphasizes community, teamwork, and the close relationship of the participating countries.
The inscription on the European Parliament was lengthened and made heavier. Now, it spans the full width of the image. This completes the logo.
Font and Colors
The emblem’s main colors are grey, blue, and gold.
- Gray symbolizes the business environment and lawmaking.
- Blue signifies constancy, honesty, and good reputation. Reflects the common sky over the European states.
- Gold demonstrates each European country’s value and the importance of legislative acts issued by the Parliament. It represents Europe’s antiquity and standards, and its stronghold of democracy.
The font of the inscription on the modern logo is fully consistent with Myriad Condensed Semibold. Its rounded letters convey a spirit of compromise and consideration for each participating country’s opinion.