On 20 September 1976 in Brussels, representatives of the Member States of the European Communities adopt the Act concerning the election of the representatives to the Assembly by direct universal suffrage. The Act stipulates that the term of office for Members of the European Parliament is five years (Article 3).

Consolidated version of the Act of 20 September 1976, as last amended by Council Decision 2002/772/EC, Euratom of 25 June and 23 September 2002.

Decision of the European Parliament of 28 September 2005 adopting the Statute for Members of the European Parliament. This Decision entered into force on 14 July 2009.

On 8 June 2012, a few days before the French parliamentary elections, EurActiv, an online media network on European affairs, publishes an article on the impact that these forthcoming elections could have on the term of office of Members of the European Parliament, which is supposed to run for five years.