14. The EU elections one-stop shop ????

Welcome to The Gender Diplomat!

For obvious reasons, today I bring you a summary of the 2024 European elections. No introductions, just facts and links. Don’t know where to vote? I got your back.

Even though democracy is under threat in certain parts of the EU, elections don't usually see a large turnout. At 50.7% in 2019, turnout was eight points higher than in 2014 (it had declined since 1979, when it reached 62%). As a young person, this worries me. The only way we can tackle our global challenges is by being proactive individuals, voting, and ensuring the EU-27 act collectively and in partnership with our international allies. Every vote cast is a step towards a fully democratic and participatory EU.

In April, the latest edition of the European Parliament’s Eurobarometer highlighted a surge of interest in the upcoming election. According to the EP:

• Around 71% of Europeans said they are likely to cast a ballot.
• 81% believe voting is even more important given the current geopolitical situation.
• 60% take an interest in the upcoming European elections 6-9 June, 11pp more than at the same point in time prior to the previous vote in May 2019.
• 73% of citizens say that EU actions have an impact on their daily lives.
• EU defence and security are increasingly important as issues to focus on.
• The fight against poverty and social exclusion (33%) as well as public health (32%) are main issues on the minds of voters.

Why voting matters

• Democracy is very fragile and there are many people who would prefer the EU-27 to live under authoritarian regimes. The only way to continue living in a democracy is to turn up and vote. If we don't vote and participate in democratic exercises, democracy loses its meaning. And when democracy loses its meaning, someone comes along to steal the show and radically change our regimes. I can confidently say that I prefer to continue living in a free and fun democracy.
• In Portugal, more than 70 per cent of national legislation derives from the EU legislation ecosystem. This means that voting in the European elections has many more implications than you might have initially considered, and is just as important as voting in national elections. By voting in the European elections, you are virtually affecting the policy and legislative path that 27 countries will follow over the next decade.
• These are the first post-Brexit, post-Covid and post-Russian invasion elections to be held at EU level. There are many issues on the agenda (see subsection below) and how our European Parliament performs will dictate how the 27 countries deal and are faced with each of these issues.
• There's something cool and powerful (very ‘reputation era’ of me, I know — are there any Swifties in my subscribers???) about collectively deciding who represents us at international level. We should all become micro activists and EU elections influencers to ensure that our networks and bubbles go out to vote. The EU has prepared a series of comms materials you can easily download and share on social media — yes, 100% free! Encourage your favourite influencers (in my opinion, these people have an added responsibility) to spread links and information about the European elections.

What happens after I vote?

The EU will collectively elect 720 MEPs and those elected MEPs work to form political groups. The right is likely to win in these elections (if you normally vote left, here's your reminder that things could change for your non-preferred side). These groups include MEPs from different countries and political parties and have common objectives, such as common positions on migration, women's rights, housing, etc. These 720 MEPs then elect the President of the Parliament and the President of the European Commission.

(I.e., by voting in the European elections you are also indirectly voting on these big roles and high level representatives that could literally make or unmake the political agenda of the EU as a whole, our foreign policy position and our external reputation).

What’s at stake in the EU elections: main issues*

*I am a moderate and progressive voter, so my selection of sources below reflects this position and my political stance. Don't forget to consult different sources to get a broader understanding of the same issues (especially if you don't agree with my views!) :)

Russia’s war on Ukraine, the defence of the EU, the migration crisis, women's rights... Read these good sources:

• Elections 101: German Marshall Fund, POLITICO, Heinrich Boll EU, ECFR
• Russia's invasion and interference: Foreign Policy, AP
• Women’s rights: ECDPM
• Ukraine at NATO & EU (fingers crossed!): POLITICO, Carnegie
• Far-right threat: Euronews, POLITICO
• Climate change: Washington Post, DW, ECFR
• EU election results analysis: Eurotopia (in portuguese): Público
• EU defence and security: Carnegie, POLITICO, Euronews
• Other key issues: European Parliament, POLITICO

? Growing in and out of your 9 to 5

JOBS

• Assistant project officer — OSCE
• Associate — Human Rights Watch
• Gender coordinator — Plan International
• Consultant — Search for Common Ground
• Communications traineeship — EIGE
• Traineeships — Greens / EFA Group EP
• Gender Advisor, staff officer — NATO
• Project manager — NOVA SBE
• Fundraising advisor — Concord
• Comms inter — Bruegel
• Junior comms officer — AEIDL
• EU policy advisor — NRC
• Advocacy assistant — Oxfam
• Senior child protection specialist — UNICEF
• Climate officer — Friends of the Earth
• Schuman traineeships — European Parliament
• Comms associate — Climate Arc

GROWTH

• ‘Never match a Tory with a vegan Marxist.’ How the political divide changed dating — POLITICO
• The artivist fellowship — YLAC
• Did you know you absolutely should include your pregnancy + maternity leave on your CV and on LinkedIn? (I bet it’s the toughest job in the world, so I salute you moms) — The Pregnancy Pause
• US elections essay competition (in portuguese) — FLAD

EVENTS

• A 7 dias das europeias — Feira do Livro
• A whole-of-society approach to the clean energy transition — Friends of Europe

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