More Than Ever, the European Parliament Elections Matter.

The upcoming European Parliament elections, scheduled for June, are one of the world's largest democratic elections, second only to India's. However, these elections face unique challenges due to the complex nature of the European Union's governance, which often leaves voters unclear about the roles and differences between various institutions and political groupings. Despite this, the European Parliament holds significant power within the union and the election outcomes will have an impact not only on Europe but also on the rest of the world. Recent polls indicate rising support for far-right parties, but centrist and center-right pro-European groupings are still expected to hold the majority of seats. Economic issues, such as inflation, inequality, unemployment, and economic growth, are the top concerns for voters, while fighting climate change ranks sixth. The challenge for European politicians is to convince voters that these elections matter, as turnout has historically been low. A strong turnout would be a blow to Euroskeptics, even if the beneficiaries are groups that want to shrink the EU's power. The consequences of the election will unfold gradually and have significant implications across a broad landscape. [Extracted from the article]