Elections to the European Parliament as a form of civic expression

Abstract

The article examines the positions of non-governmental organizations before the 2024 parliamentary elections in the European Union. The author shows that the European Union has created quite effective mechanisms that encourage the transformation of public spaces into civic self-expression, such as «Public Consultations», «Open Requests» and «European Citizens’ Initiatives». The article notes that there is clearly expressed dissatisfaction with the activities of the previous composition of the European Parliament in society, in connection with which, during the preelection period, strict demands of civil society to the authorities in the social sphere were outlined. The requirements of leading non-governmental organizations in the field of ecology are considered. It is also noted that public organizations are concerned about the «increasing militarism» in the countries of the European Union. In the run-up to the parliamentary elections, they demanded that the European Union «defend human rights against the militarization» of society. These organizations make a clear choice in favor of «a commitment to peace, cooperation, human rights, and not to rearmament, militarization and war». The author concludes that since the three main proEuropean groups – the European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats and the Renewal of Europe – retained their majority in the European Parliament, there is every reason to believe that the European Parliament will take into account the interests of civil society, expressed by its organizations during the election campaign, in its legislative work.

Keywords

• european union
• parliamentary elections
• eu social policy
• civil society
• nongovernmental organizations
• environmental protection