Young first-time voters from all over Europe attended the big electoral debate between the main candidates in the European elections. Here’s what they thought.
In addition to the viewers who were able to follow the major debate of the main candidates for the European elections this Thursday, in the aisles of the European Parliament in Brussels, young voters were invited to the event. Some were even able to ask the candidates their question. If alliances with far-right parties were hotly debated, other themes caught the attention of these first-time voters.
Aleksandra Walczak, journalist, Poland: “I think safety was the most important and emotional thing for each candidate.”
Carlo Millino, student, Italy: “I will choose two subjects. The first is linked to climate change. And I appreciate the responses from Gozi from Renew Europe because he said something I didn’t expect. I really appreciated his answers and his open-mindedness. And the second theme was migration. And I really appreciated Schmit’s answers because he was fair.”
Some of these young voters already have clear ideas about their preferred candidate.
Jakob Wind, student, Denmark: “I particularly like Ursula von der Leyen. I think she’s done a good job over the last five years. I therefore also hope to see her as President of the Commission for the next five years.”
Ioannis Afxentiou, student, Cyprus: “I like the Green candidate the most, because she took into consideration that, yes, you have important problems to face, but we must overcome fear with solutions and not with extremist speeches.”
Ninette Vertongen, student, Belgium: “I’m really looking forward to seeing what the future holds. And if they really want to change things or if they speak up and say it now and do nothing, to stop young people from being on TikTok and TikTok not being a bad place for your mental health.
In several European countries including Belgium and Germany, but also in Malta and Austria, 16-year-olds will have the right to vote on June 9. In Greece, voters can now vote from the age of 17.