Next Sunday we elect representatives for the European Parliament. Without party blinders, here are 10 reasons to vote.

1. The European Parliament is not a powerless and decorative body, as it used to be. Of course, he cannot pass whatever law he wants, because only the Commission has the “right of legislative initiative”. But he can stop whatever law he wants. In addition, he can change laws with his countless amendments.

2.Many freedoms and rights that we take for granted today, from the “Erasmus” program to free roaming within the EU, are due at least in part to the European Parliament. If we are suddenly deprived of these freedoms, then we realize how precious they are. Have you ever paid roaming for Switzerland or Turkey? Painful experience…

Criticism and control in Brussels

3. The European Parliament “controls” the Commission and the national governments. So, if you are interested, from the discussions that take place there you learn many things, which the Commission and the national governments would never reveal to you. Because they don’t like it.

4. No taxation without representation. You may not know it, but you already pay taxes for the EU through high VAT rates and national contributions to the EU budget. Don’t you want to have a say in where your money goes?

5. Many of those who used to be against the EU now accept and use EU institutions. Some left parties say that the battle for another Europe is taking place inside Europe, not outside it. But nationalist parties also pay attention to the European Parliament. Because that’s where they start to “take off the sweater” of Europe. What is your position on all this?

6. Does the nomination of “party parsley” and celebrities make you angry? By voting, you may prevent it (but you may not, the truth is this). If we want to highlight the worthy, let’s prefer them. It is not certain that they will come out if we vote for them. But it is certain that they will not come out, if we do not vote for them.

Let’s pick the best ones

7. Greece has few MEPs. Only 21, out of a total of more than 700. One more reason to carefully choose the best. Let us be sure that they will not go for tourism and that they will “make their money” (10,075.18 euros gross per month).

8. It used to be said that the European Parliament is just a “golden retreat” before retirement, but this is no longer the case. Probably the opposite is happening. Many big names passed through the “nursery” of the European Parliament before assuming higher positions: Chirac, Sarkozy, Mertz, Borrell, Di Rupo, Tajani, Salvini, Plenkovic. Don’t you want to have a say in the political staff of the future?

9. Have you heard that the EU is a bureaucratic monster and you don’t want to “strengthen” it with your vote? However, the language of numbers tells us that at the moment the Commission employs 33,000 permanent employees, that is, approximately as many as the Municipality of of Paris.

10. Maybe you think your “voice of reason” won’t be heard, so there’s no point in voting. But think: This means you let others vote for you. Because, unlike your own “voice of reason,” theirs will be recorded, no matter how illogical.