Earlier this month, Eurobarometer -the public opinion survey conducted by the European Commission- published the initial results of the post-election polls Attitudes Toward the EU conducted across Europe.

The survey results are particularly relevant to Eurodiaconia’s work as they show a strong commitment to European democracy, social protection for EU citizens and in stepping up the fight against youth unemployment.

2019 saw the highest mobilisation of young voters with a sharp increase in the number of voters aged 18-24 at polling stations compared to 2014 (42% as opposed to 18%). This is part of a wider turnout compared with the previous elections, accompanied by general optimism among voters when asked if they believed their voiced counts in the EU (57% in 2019, up from 49% in 2014).

Amongst the top issues that impacted voters’ choices, we find economy and growth in the first place followed by climate change. It is noteworthy, nonetheless, that almost 30% of voters found social protection for EU citizens the key issue motivating their electoral choices, while 25% of them cared about combating youth unemployment.

As a pan-European network, Eurodiaconia is committed to delivering sustainable health and social care service and advocate for social justice in Europe. Therefore, we are interested in public opinion regarding the EU and its work in these difficult times for Europe. Last March we launched the campaign #TIMETOVOTE to educate voters about the importance of European elections to preserve the European projects that brought us 70 years of peace, prosperity and solidarity. We are happy to see that many young people are hopeful about the future of the EU and actively participate to make their voices heard at the institutions.

Against this context, Eurodiaconia and its members work to make sure young people are included in our society and have access to quality educational and vocational services to help them in their transition to the labour market. We are also committed to creating a cohesive European network of Christian and Diaconal organisations to make sure existing EU policies bring about transformational change and social justice.

 

To read more about the post-election polls, please read Eurobarometer’s publication.

To know more about Eurodiaconia’s and its members work in Europe and beyond, please visit our website.