Young people of Ireland are not alone. Speaking to potential voters in countries across the EU it is obvious that young people of other member states share the same frustration and disinterest as the Irish with politics. The European election is only around the corner and it is vital that the youth of Ireland and all member states use their vote to elect the best representation possible. Here are accounts from young people in the EU who address the issue of apathy in the European elections.
Micky Weller, Germany:
Micky Weller
Micky, from Germany, is a student in Berlin. Micky’s family brought her up to have an active interest in politics. “The Division of Germany had far-reaching consequences for my family and accordingly to their political interest. As a consequence I was raised with some kind of natural interest in politics,” said Micky.
This is not the case for all young German people. Micky said “I think that the interest in politics of young people is constantly decreasing. However, I believe this not due to a general indifference towards politics, but more a result of seemingly unsolvable issues, unemployment, environmental problems, etc., in the country leading to frustration amongst young people and decreasing confidence in political actors.”
Although Micky plans to vote in the upcoming European elections she admits “To be honest, I’m not aware of any involvement of MEPs in my area at all.”
European election poster
European election poster
Eduardo Davies, Spain:
Eduardo Davies Carvajal
Eduardo, from Spain, is a young man who hopes to be involved in politics in the future. “I would like to take part in the decision making of my area, city and country. I believe that myself and those who share my beliefs can help to achieve a lot for future happiness.”
Eduardo recognises that his peers do not trust politicians. “There is a widespread belief among young people, that politicians are corrupt, liars and they don’t keep their promises,” said Eduardo.
Regarding the upcoming European elections in June, Eduardo said that the right wing politicians are targeting young people by proposing positive reform in third level education and financial incentives for students to study abroad. Left wing candidates are concentrating on issues such as contraception and abortion. Spanish candidates are using inventive ways to get their message across to the younger generation.
According to Eduardo: “There is a lot of publicity with posters but also a lot of merchandising, for example, cigarette lighters depicting the photos of the politician with their slogans, t-shirts, key rings and free condoms with information about the elections in order to get the young people to vote.”
Spanish politicians
Political rally in Spain
Dovile Petkunaite, Lithuania:
Dovile Petkunaite (centre) and friends
Dovile is a 24 year old from Lithuania, pictured here with her friends. Dovile is interested in politics herself but feels that only a small percentage of young people in Lithuania engage in it.
“In my opinion, there are not too many involved in it. There are just few young people that I know, who are following all the news in politics and like discussing it,” said Dovile. “Maybe because the frustration that most of the politicians cause make young people not to believe in it, therefore they are not interested in it.”
Apathy became recently apparent in Lithuania after the presidential election that took place on the 17 May. “Only 52% of all Lithuanian voters voted in it,” said Dovile. "European Parliament elections will be on 7 June and I guess there will be even less.”
Dalia Grybauskaite - the new President of Lithuania
European election poster
Voting take place in Ireland on the 5th June. No matter who you vote for or for what reason, use your vote.
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