Zoekresultaten
Ahead of the European elections, there are concerns about the state of democracy and rule of law in Europe. In the Netherlands, it is a concern hanging around the formation table. For a long time, Poland seemed to be heading in the same direction as Hungary, but since last October's elections, the tide seems to have turned there. The most important lesson we can learn from Poland? Democracy is not made in the voting booth, but on the streets.
Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA)
carla.haelermans@maastrichtuniversity.nl
en
N. Pestel
ROA / Labour market and training
Research Centre for Educ & Labour Market
School of Business and Economics
n.pestel@maastrichtuniversity.nl
en
N. Ruijs
ROA / Education and transition to work
Research Centre for Educ & Labour Market
School of Business and Economics
nienke.ruijs@maastrichtuniversity.nl
ROA / Labour market and training
Research Centre for Educ & Labour Market
School of Business and Economics
a.degrip@maastrichtuniversity.nl
ROA / Human capital in the region
Research Centre for Educ & Labour Market
School of Business and Economics
c.vanoosterhout@maastrichtuniversity.nl
ROA / Health, skills and inequality
Research Centre for Educ & Labour Market
School of Business and Economics
c.vermeulen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
ROA / Human capital in the region
Research Centre for Educ & Labour Market
School of Business and Economics
c.vanoosterhout@maastrichtuniversity.nl
… that this is changing. In June, more than 400 million Europeans will have to go to the polls again for ... yes, what exactly? If you do not know what European elections are for, it is not up to you. For a long time, a vote in European elections was mainly a vote for the EU. That tide is turning, and that is a good thing. Because European elections should not be a celebration of European unity, but a battle between political visions. Compromise With European elections, we elect our representatives … promises, nor can they be judged on them. To the extent that there is an election battle, it is fought nationally. Pro or con The result: elections that few were really hot for. This is not surprising: for a long time, the European Parliament was mainly about the technical rules that applied in the European market. There was hardly any question of political struggle. European elections therefore became primarily a survey of the popularity of the EU. The higher the turnout, so it was thought, … stance. Fair debate The chances of the EU taking a sharp pull to the right as a result are high. But it does make these European elections about fundamental issues, and that is basically good news for democracy in the EU. Democracy in the EU remains imperfect. Yet the trend of disinterest in European elections seems to have reversed: in 2019, turnout increased for the first time in 40 years. It is up to politicians and the media to do justice to this growing attention. After all, democracy …
ROA / Health, skills and inequality
Research Centre for Educ & Labour Market
School of Business and Economics
t.huijgen@maastrichtuniversity.nl