Intention for increased voter turnout in the European elections is evident both in Cyprus and at a pan-European level.
A recent survey for the Eurobarometer concerning the upcoming European elections revealed a significant element related to the interest of European citizens in general and Cypriots specifically to participate in the electoral process.
Compared to 2019, when elections were last held, there is a notably increased turnout. Specifically, across all EU countries, the increase reaches 10 percentage points, while in Cyprus, the increase is even greater at 16%.
If this percentage is reflected at the polls, it means that turnout will be significantly higher.
Specifically regarding the survey in Cyprus, 55% expressed interest in the European election process, and 60% indicated they are likely to participate.
At the EU level, 60% are interested in voting in June, and 71% believe they are likely to vote, rating the possibility between 7 and 10 (where 1 is very unlikely and 10 is very likely).
These figures, which should be appropriately utilised by various political forces, are also reinforced by citizens’ perspectives on the importance of elections and the role of the EU.
80% of Cypriot citizens recognise the importance of participation in elections due to the current geopolitical situation, and at the EU level, 81% agree that the geopolitical situation makes voting important.
Notably, 81% of EU citizens and 85% in Cyprus had a positive or neutral view of the European Parliament, with 18% holding a negative view.
56% of respondents in the EU would like the European Parliament to play a more significant role, 28% would prefer the opposite, and 10% wish to maintain its current role. In Cyprus, 85% stated they would like a stronger role for the Parliament.
Even more reinforcing is that 84% of Cypriots believe that EU actions have an impact on their daily lives.
Regarding the prioritisation of issues that, in the opinion of European citizens, should be discussed, Cypriots rank immigration and asylum as the top issue by far.
This is not surprising given that immigration may currently be the most significant challenge facing the Republic of Cyprus, hoping for support from Brussels.
It is also logical for the issue of the economy to rank high in priorities due to the hardships facing Cypriot households and the concerns arising from the relatively recent economic crisis. Specifically, immigration and asylum at 41% and support for the economy at 40% are considered most important by Cypriots in light of the European elections.
Responding to the question of which issues they consider most important to discuss during the pre-election campaign for the election of new members of the European Parliament, Cypriots’ next most popular answers were combating poverty and social exclusion, along with public health (each at 38%), followed by defence and EU security (28%), democracy and the rule of law (22%), and agricultural policy (20%).
At the EU level, citizens prioritise combating poverty and social exclusion (33%) and supporting public health (32%) as the most significant issues for the pre-election campaign. Support for the economy and job creation, as well as defence and EU security, are equally ranked third at 31%.
The importance attributed by citizens to the defence and security of the EU has increased, mainly due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and is the top priority in nine countries, with the highest results in Denmark (56%), Finland (55%), and Lithuania (53%).
It is noted that the spring Eurobarometer of the European Parliament was conducted by the research organisation Verian (formerly Kantar) between February 7 and March 3 across the EU’s 27 member states. In Cyprus, the survey was conducted from February 7 to 26 through personal interviews.
A total of 500 interviews were conducted in Cyprus, and 26,411 interviews across the EU.
