Article by Gianniotis Ioannis
Polyzou Iliana Maria
With the European week just behind us and one year after the European elections, the question still remains: Where was Europe on election day, and why didn’t people show up? The European elections are meant to reflect the approval of EU values and, more importantly, the unity of European countries under democracy. Despite their importance, more and more Europeans are choosing to ignore their right to vote and are lacking political enthusiasm. The consequences go beyond plain statistics — they influence how representative the results are and invite reflection on what a shared European identity means today.
The 2019 European elections showed a positive increase of participation in the elections, leading to the highest turnout since 1994 with 50,66% of European citizens participating. Based on the 2019 Post Elections Eurobarometer Survey there was a large increase also in the participation of EU youth with 42% of them participating — even for the first time in the election procedures — and in general the voting percentages have increased by 8,06% since 2014. Statistics about the absence showed an increased number of people that either have never participated in elections or that they are unaware of the European parliament and its role. Similarly in 2024 and based on European Parliaments Elections Results, there was a participation rate of 50,74%, showcasing the will of many Europeans to fulfil their duties as european citizens but also that there wasn’t a noticeable increase in the participation of the elections, with some countries even facing a tremendous absence in comparison with 2019. For example, in Greece there was a reduction of 17,45% between the 2019 and 2024 elections (from 58,69% to 41,24%). The absence of half of the EU voters — or even more in some countries — puts important questions on why so many people prefer to stay absent, especially in times where the international system is so vulnerable and fluid.
Low voter turnout in European Parliament elections isn’t just a coincidence, it’s the result of deeper connections coming from multifaceted factors. One of the main causes refers to the impression that the European Union is a bureaucratic institution that is distanced from our daily lives. This perceived distance encourages the sense that voting won’t make a difference in shaping European policies. Many individuals feel that their concerns are being overlooked leading to thoughts like “ Why should I bother? Nobody’s listening anyway!”. This low turn-out can also be explained through the lack of clear information regarding the way that the European Union works and what it actually does. Let’s be honest, how can we expect people to vote if they don’t even know what they’re voting for? Regarding young voters, they often feel invisible and underrepresented, due to the absence of a decent percentage of young voices in European elections. It’s no wonder many feel discouraged from getting involved in electoral processes. On top of that, the absence of civic education usually results in political apathy, as many young people grow without understanding the importance of participation. If no one ever explains how the system works, how can we expect people to care about changing it?
This increasing lack of interest in European elections raises questions regarding the existence and strength of European identity — “Do people really feel European?”. This disengagement indicates an emotional detachment from the idea of Europe as a mechanism of unity, reflecting a deeper issue: Europeans don’t feel like they are truly a part of something collective. The concept of a “European identity” remains abstract, overshadowed by stronger national ties, linguistic and cultural differences and a lack of visible impact from EU policies in everyday life. This gap between the citizen and the institution weakens the emotional bond with the European project, leading to disinterest, skepticism, and a growing sense of detachment. And yet, it is precisely in this atmosphere of disconnection that participation becomes more crucial than ever.
In a time when the European Union faces unexpected internal and external challenges, the silence of the ballot box speaks louder than ever. The lack of participation and the absence of the democratic right of voting in the elections of the European Parliament, it’s more than a plain statistic. It’s a sign, an alarming situation that disconnects citizens from their European identity, allows populism and extreme ideologies to rise and threatens the democratic and European values. But all those feelings about the unimportance of our personal vote or our lack of knowledge about EU elections can change. A newer generation is rising, with a better understanding of the need for a balanced future. The key to this ideal future lies in participation. It’s time to get involved, speak out and especially vote to reshape our future for the best and to make sure that democracy and other EU values -like solidarity, human dignity and rights- will remain stable and resilient to this uncertain future.
References
- Eurobarometer Survey. (2019, September). THE 2019 POST-ELECTORAL SURVEY HAVE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS ENTERED A NEW DIMENSION? [PDF]. Eurobarometer Survey 91.5 of the European Parliament A Public Opinion Monitoring Study. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/at-your-service/files/be-heard/eurobarometer/2019/post-election-survey-2019-complete-results/report/en-post-election-survey-2019-report.pdf
- European Parliament. (2024). European Elections 2024-Election results-European results. European Parliament. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://results.elections.europa.eu/en/turnout/
