A few days before Italy goes to the polls to elect its representatives in the European Parliament, there are fears of low participation due to growing citizen disaffection with EU policies and institutions.
Some 47 million Italians have right to vote in the european electionswhich will be held next Saturday and Sunday to elect 76 members of the European Parliament in five main constituencies. Furthermore, almost half of the municipalities of Italia are called to vote in the local elections.
With so much at stake, the appointment with the polls takes on special relevance this year. It will shape the future of Europe in one of the most critical moments in the history of the European Union and will be the first political test for Italy’s far-right government.
The bajaelectoral participationwhich reached a all-time low of 54% in 2019has long disrupted the European elections in Italy, and a growing disaffection towards community politics It has taken its toll. Although on the street there are variety of opinions.
“We are going through an important transformation. It is a critical moment in which many things happen simultaneously,” says a voter convinced of the relevance of European politics. “That’s why it matters a lot to me that Europe, in which I believe a lot, is in a position to provide answers. Whatever is decided in Europe has a great impact on my life and the lives of others“, Add.
At his workplace in a hair salon, a man shows himself undecided. “Who are we supposed to vote for? I don’t feel represented in any way. I could decide to go to the polls at the last minute just out of responsibility and because I would feel guilty if I didn’t. But I’m not really sure,” he says.
Another pedestrian is more forceful: “I don’t feel represented by anyone of the candidates. “All they do is talk but there are no concrete facts.”
The young vote, polarized
Among the voters under 35 years old the situation is much more polarized. Although those who assure that they will go to the polls consider that the EU elections are as important as the general.
“Most European policies look mainly to the future and not to the present. Therefore, they have more to do with the younger generations than with the average citizen,” says a young man. “That’s why it’s important for us to go to the polls. The problem we face today is that politics often targets adults more than young people. Furthermore, people are not clear how institutions really work“, Add.
Las latest polls suggest that Italy’s main opposition party could make some progress, while positioning Meloni’s Brothers of Italy as the first political force. If confirmed, the far-right formation could strengthen its power at the national level and its capacity to influence in an EU that surveys predict which will be more inclined to the right.
