European elections are approaching on June 9th, and for the first time in several countries, young people aged 16 and above will have the chance to vote. It is predicted that many first-time voters will take advantage of this opportunity and exercise their right to vote. However, data from the Bertelsmann Foundation’s “eupinions” survey tool shows that young people in Europe may be less willing to vote compared to older citizens.
According to the survey, 59% of respondents aged 16 to 25 across the EU expressed their intention to vote in the EU Parliament elections, with 24% still undecided. In contrast, 65% of respondents aged 26 to 69 stated they would vote, with 22% undecided. Despite being generally more pro-European than older citizens, younger respondents seem less motivated to vote.
When asked about a hypothetical EU referendum, 78% of 16-to-25-year-olds stated they would vote for their country to remain in the EU, compared to 65% of older respondents. Younger respondents also expressed higher satisfaction with the functioning of democracy in the EU. Project managers at the Bertelsmann Foundation emphasize the importance of young people’s engagement in EU policy making.
In Germany, there is no significant protest attitude among young people leading up to the European elections. Only 23% named expressing disapproval of current politics as their reason for voting, compared to 30% of older voters. Supporting the political party they feel connected to is the primary motivator for both younger and older voters.
Young Europeans prioritize certain policy areas more than older generations, notably civil rights and climate change. The most notable divergence in attitudes is on migration issues: older respondents place more importance on better management of immigration while younger respondents prioritize civil rights and climate change more strongly than older generations.
It is crucial for young people to engage in political processes and ensure that their priorities are reflected in EU policies by participating actively in decision-making processes.
Overall, it is essential for young people to participate actively in decision-making processes if they want their priorities reflected in EU policies effectively.
