Rising Awareness About the Upcoming Elections Among Young Generation

1. With regard to youth engagement and empowerment, what strategies do you propose to ensure that the concerns and aspirations of young people are effectively represented in EU policymaking? 

​

Big decisions which will have a lasting impact on the future of our youth are made at EU-level, and the youth should be better in engaged in that process. That’s why D66 wants to lower the legal voting age for the European Elections, all across Europe, to 16 years old. The minimum age for candidates should be 18 across the EU. We also want to create a Youth Council with representatives from all Member States.

 

2. How do you plan to address issues of social inequality and economic disparity across EU member states, particularly in terms of youth unemployment and access to education?

 

Youth unemployment is a big problem in some Member States, and especially some regions within the Member States. The European Union must proactively invest in these groups and ensure that our youth, especially those in a vulnerable socio-economic position, have access to proper (vocational) education and the development of competencies and skills in high demand in the new economy. Existing instruments such as the Just Transition Fund can be used for this purpose.

 

3. What measures do you propose to strengthen democracy and transparency within EU institutions, fostering greater accountability and citizen participation?

 

Strengthening the position and power of the European Parliament is crucial to European democracy. The EP should have full legislative powers, starting with the right of initiative. D66 also wants Europeans to be able to elect the President of the European Commission, abolish the right to veto in the Council, and be able to dismiss a single Commissioner.

 

4. Given the rise of nationalist and populist movements in some EU countries, how do you intend to promote unity, solidarity, and diversity across the European Union?

 

The motto of the European Union is “united in diversity”. It’s a valuable principle which we should not give away. However, the European Union is first and foremost a community of values, around the ideas of democratic legitimacy, the rule of law, and an open society which upholds human rights. Member States which stray from these principles should be held accountable. When a Member State fails to comply, structurally, we should move on to activation of the Article 7 procedure. This means the Member State loses their voting rights in the Council. The transfer of the allocated EU-funds to a Member State should also be conditional to compliance with principles and made agreements.

 

5. What actions do you recommend to address the ongoing refugee and migration crisis in Europe while upholding human rights and humanitarian principles?

 

Offering safe migration routes for economic migrants from outside the EU, such as an EUBlue Card or circular migration schemes, is key to ensuring that we can differentiate between migration flows. This will allow the European Union to speed up the processes for refugees and ensure that they find a safe haven within our borders as soon as possible. We must also enforce the principle of solidarity between Member States, to ensure that refugees are spread evenly, and of course reject illegal and inhumane practices such as push-backs. When established that a Member State has engaged in such behaviour, the Commission should act decisively and sanctions should follow.

 

6. Finally, how do you envision fostering collaboration and cooperation among EU member states to tackle global challenges such as pandemics, security threats, and international conflicts?

 

Because of the current decision-making process, the EU is not capable of acting swiftly and decisively in many situations. That is, among other reasons, why D66 wants to abolish the right to veto. Increased defense cooperation and purchase of military equipment, creation of a military ‘Schengen’ and -in due time- a European defense force are crucial to an effective and efficient security policy.