Between June 6 and 9, 2024, more than 370 million people in 27 Member States are expected to vote in the European elections. To better inform EU citizens and encourage them to vote, the European Parliament is embarking on the second phase of its institutional communication strategy.
With “Use your vote.” Or others will decide for you” as a slogan, this second phase underlines the importance of democracy. It encompasses a multifaceted approach, including media events, digital outreach, engagement of public and private partners, community engagement initiatives and educational programs tailored to resonate with citizens across the EU.
Among the awareness efforts used, the 4-minute Film “Use Your Vote” features testimonies from older citizens from different EU countries who tell their story about democracy to the next generations and highlight that this democratic right cannot be held for granted.
“Democracy in the European Union is more important than ever today. Everyone’s vote counts. It will decide the direction our Union will take for the next five years. It will decide in which Europe we want to live,” declared the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. “In order not to let someone else choose for us, we should vote from June 6 to 9, 2024.”
Collective responsibility
As the European Union faces changing challenges and the June 2024 elections approach, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fostering dialogue, unity and active citizenship. “Use your vote. Or others will decide for you” strongly reminds us that democracy is a precious heritage that must be maintained and defended by all.
“Democracy is a collective responsibility – not towards a specific political idea or cause – but towards others,” says European Parliament spokesperson Jaume Duch. “We are more united in European democracy than we think: beyond nations, political sensitivities and generations. In our polarized times, this is easy to forget and our campaign is designed to remind us of what unites us.
More specifically, the campaign’s central video further explores the turbulent history of many European countries that have experienced armed conflict or limits to individual freedom and the precarious nature of democracy if not actively supported.
Growing interest in European elections
In 2019, more than half of eligible voters in Europe went to the polls (50.6%). The EP’s Spring 2024 Eurobarometer survey of more than 26,000 respondents across all EU member states showed that 60% of Europeans are interested in the elections of June 6-9, 2024, eleven points more only in spring 2019 (three months before the previous European elections). elections). Additionally, 71% say it is likely they will vote, again 10 points more than last time.
The results also suggest that four in five Europeans agree that “voting is important to maintain a strong democracy” (81%) and that “voting is important to guarantee a better future for the next generations” (84%). More than eight in ten Europeans (81%) believe that voting is even more important given the current geopolitical situation.
The film “Use Your Vote” and nine other versions for television, cinema, radio and social media will be released in all Member States from 29 April 2024.
Originally published in The European Times.
source link eu news
