For over a year since the electoral system was reformed, the European Continent has been mobilized, urging Europe's citizens to vote. Between June 6th and 9th, all eligible candidates are encouraged by their politicians to exercise their right to elect representatives in the European Parliament, where, in our nation, young adults as young as 18 are allowed to vote.  

An older article written by Ioannis Dimitriadis

The European Parliament, the legislative body of the European Union, is comprised of 705 members tasked with passing laws, amending existing legislation, and deciding on international agreements and the EU budget. Each nation is expected, through its representation by European Parliament Members (MEPs), to adhere to the European Constitution and present its position. Cyprus elects 6 MEPs who represent the entire island, not just in the parliament but also in various committees, taking care of diplomatic lobbying activities within the parliament. Their voice in the parliament echoes the concerns of Cypriots, including the illegal occupation of the north and many socio-economic issues in Cypriot society, while being pivotal in the campaign of green energy through solar panel.

One might assume that, given the Republic of Cyprus's negotiation of favorable terms for its admission to the European family in 2004, with the entirety of the island accepted, Cypriot citizens would be eager to vote to promote their interests in the EU parliament and advocate for societal progress. However, statistics tell a different story: Cyprus suffers from embarrassingly low voter turnout, standing at 44.99% since the last elections, a figure not expected to exceed half this election. Meanwhile, youth suffrage in Europe hovers just above 50%. These trends are attributed to the older population's reliance on interparty intrigues and local governance, while the youth has lost hope in the wake of COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis, especially in Cyprus, where they see incompetence in addressing the Cypriot problem and rising inflation alongside stagnant wages through the EU.

Despite these challenges, is expressing the right of suffrage crucial? As a right fostered by the dream of Schuman in the Treaty of Rome and existing since the days of Clisthenes and Pericles, it acts as fundamental right allowing individuals to engage in European social and political matters that also affect the Cypriot community. Youth participation is particularly vital as it instills a sense of responsibility for their future. With a universal right to vote without boundaries of ethnic or class background, people across Europe can realize the power of their vote in shaping a union that expresses them rather than containing them.

Europe undeniably holds the power to influence the lives of millions and allow individuals to transcend the national sphere. If we, as citizens of Cyprus, fail to acknowledge that Cyprus's future is intertwined with Europe's status, how can we expect foreigners to empathize with our crises and rectify our past mistakes? It's not a matter of Euro-scepticism or Unionism; it's a matter of a European Cyprus' welfare.