Participation pleas boosted by survey

Pleas to Europe’s voters by EU leaders for greater European election participation may be paying off, show new Brussels figures.

Amid growing fears that elections to an enlarged European Parliament will be hit by widespread euro apathy Gallop polling offers a glimmer of hope to EU politicians.

Figures published at the beginning of May found that only 37 per cent of Europe’s citizens knew when to vote for the EU’s only directed institution.

Now up to 65 per cent of Europe's voters are intending to vote, according to the survey carried out between May 28 and June 7.

Just over half – 52 per cent –  state “they are completely certain to take part in electing the new European Parliament” – a turnout forecast up seven points over the last month.

Many of the EU’s great and good are concerned that protest votes against unpopular national governments or a lack interest in Europe may benefit eurosceptics.

European Commission president Romano Prodi has warned that the EU could be a casualty of public mistrust in domestic politicians.

“In each country as usual voters will cast their ballots for or against their national government,” he said.

Parliament chief Pat Cox – who is not running in the 2004 elections – has warned that “apathy is the greatest enemy”.

Speaking to the Independent newspaper Cox urged mainstream political leaders to step up efforts to mobilise voters.

“There is no substitute for politics and leadership,” he said.

“For people to be motivated to vote, it requires that all the key actors motivate themselves to give real leadership.”

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana insisted that 2004 elections “will be a special event” for an enlarged Europe.

“For the first time in our history, we, all 25 member states, will be able to exercise one of the most precious rights in democracy: the right to vote,” he said.

“By choosing our 732 representatives in the European Parliament we will underscore… that a divided Europe already belongs to the history books.”

Solana is urging the EU’s new citizens to play their part in building a common Europe.

“It is very important that the ten new members, at the very heart of the European identity, engage strongly in this ambitious project we are building together,” he said.

“The European Parliament is one of the pillars of this project, since it is there that our representatives must make our voices heard and promote our interests as citizens.”

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