By Antonis Anzoletou

The results in the old continent of “27” will be largely determined by the level of abstinence. Although the polls are extremely crucial, it is doubtful whether Europeans will come to the school screens despite the high stakes.

In 2019, there were countries where participation was extremely low, such as the Czech Republic and Slovenia, and others such as Belgium and Luxembourg that exceeded 80%.

They voted in 2019 by country

Participation 2019: 51%

Austria: 59.8% (compulsory vote) Luxembourg: 84.2%
Belgium: 88.5% (compulsory vote) Malta: 72.7%
Bulgaria: 32.6% (compulsory vote) Netherlands: 41.9%
Croatia: 29.9% Poland: 45.7%
Cyprus: 45% Romania: 51.2%
Czech Republic: 28.7% Slovakia: 22.7%
Denmark: 66.1% Slovenia: 28.9%
Estonia: 37.6% Spain: 60.7%
Finland: 40.8% Sweden: 55.3%
France: 50.1% Germany: 61.4%
Greece: 58.7% (mandatory with exceptions) Hungary: 43.4%
Ireland: 49.7% Italy: 54.5%
Latvia: 33.5% Lithuania: 53.5%

In general, the largest participation has been registered at the EU level. in the first polls in 1979 (62%). From then on, the course was downward. 1984 (59%), 1989 (58.4%), 1994 (56.7%), 1999 (49.5%), 2004 (45.6%), 2009 (43%), 2014 (42.6% ). Above 50% participation returned five years ago with surveys reporting that younger ages came to the polls.

In the upcoming European elections, apart from Greece, other countries that had previously introduced postal voting will make it easier for citizens who cannot go to the polls. These are Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Netherlands, Austria, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden. Estonia is several steps ahead by also allowing electronic voting.

As is the case with the way of electing MEPs, each country has different age limits both for the right to vote and for those who wish to be elected.

EU. – minimum voting age

16 years: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Malta
17 years old: Greece
18 years old: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
EU. – minimum age of candidates

18 years: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Croatia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden
21 years: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Cyprus
23 years old: Romania
25 years: Greece, Italy

The population of the E.U. of the 27 member countries in total is just under 450 million. Almost 360 million citizens have the right to vote. The countries together have a GDP of almost 17 trillion euros and their trade exchanges account for about 15% of world trade. The new associations in the European Parliament are expected to be very important for the future of Europe with the groups that will be formed.

Outgoing European Parliament (seats – percentage)

  • EPP – Group of the European People’s Party 177 25.4%
  • S&D – Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialist Democrats 139 20%
  • Renew Europe – Liberal Group 102 14.2%
  • Verts/ALE – Green Group / Free Alliance 72 10.09%
  • ECR – Group of European Conservatives and Reformists 68 9.51%
  • ID – Identity and Democracy Group 59 8.24%
  • The Left – Group of the Left GUE/NGL 37 5.40%
  • NI – Non-Registered 51 7.10%