The cost of living crisis was a determining factor in the June European Parliament elections, while gender equality had a minimal impact on citizens’ voting preferences, according to a European Parliament report.
The increase of cost of living was a key factor that brought people to the polls in the elections to European Parliament June, with 42% of voters citing it as an important issue, according to the Eurobarometer survey.
The precarious international situation also played an important role in the election of the candidates, followed closely by concerns around the democracy and the rule of law.
Less than a third of voters considered the migration as a primary issue, with similar results for the climate change. The gender equality and the digitization of the European economy and society were the least influential factors, according to the report, with an impact on only 7% and 6% of voters, respectively.
Young generations vote less, but are in favor of the EU
With a 51%the stake in the 2024 EU elections was higher compared to that of 201950.7%, and that of 201442.6%. Electoral participation was highest among those over 55 years of age (58%), while the age group of 15 to 24 years had the rate of highest abstentionwith 64%.
Despite this, the majority of younger voters positively value belonging to the European Union (EU)since 71% of them affirm that their country has benefited from being part of it. Among social groups, unemployed they recorded the higher abstention rate (71%), while the managers showed the greater participationwith 63%.
Lack of trust and interest in politics among non-voters
The report details the reasons for the abstention of almost 50% of voters in the EU elections. The main factors were the lack of confidence in politics (21%) and general lack of interest (20%). Other notable reasons were being on vacation or away from home (12%) and being “too busy” or at work (12%).
Video editor • Mert Can Yilmaz