Invited to present the European Parliament's campaign to convince people of the importance of voting in the May 2019 European elections at a conference organised by Google (see other news) on Tuesday 7 May, Stephen Clark, director of the European Parliament's liaison offices, said that this time the European Parliament was actually campaigning, compared to previous years.
He presented the “This time I’m voting” campaign launched by the Parliament to mobilise European citizens (see EUROPE 12068/21). In his opinion, the slogan goes far beyond simple communication. He noted the problems of low voter turnout in past European elections, but stressed that this time the stakes are high and we have to go to the polls, he explained.
In doing so, Mr. Clark recalled that these elections will take place in a particular environment, marked by multiple crises - financial, migration and institutional, not to mention Brexit. The atmosphere of mistrust towards the European institutions, the fragmentation of the media and the growing phenomenon of “fake news” are other important factors that have shaped the Parliamentary campaign, he said.
So, to raise voter awareness, the institution is taking action on two fronts. First of all, on the ground. According to Stephen Clark, the Parliament has already recruited 24,308 volunteers to boost participation in the European elections and 277,477 supporters. “We have built a community”, he announced. The Parliament is also taking action in terms of media relations by organising several briefings and seminars, as well as on social networks, he said.
Mr Clark also revisited the campaign's flagship film, "Choose Your Future” (see EUROPE 12246/28), which reached 109 million views on Tuesday. “This is not the kind of thing we are expected to produce”, he said, noting many surprised reactions to the very emotional side of the film. According to him, the strategy worked, because the film has attracted a lot of attention.
In addition to the information and awareness-raising campaign on the European elections, the Parliament has not neglected the ongoing political campaign and continues to draw the attention of citizens to important events, such as the debate between candidates, which will take place on 15 May, or the special election days and evenings organised by the Parliament where the results will be announced in real time. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)