The European Parliament represents all European citizens, but it does not represent them equally. With 27 different elections - each with their own rules, quotas and thresholds for who can vote and who can run for office - the impact of a European citizen's vote depends on which country they were born or live in. What should we change in our electoral systems to ensure fair representation of all EU citizens at the parliament?
Come, Wednesday September 22nd at 18:30 CEST to hear MEP Damian Boeselager, MEP Domènec Ruiz Devesa, Prof. Alberto Alemano, Leonie Martin and Simon Lindkær Andersen in our livestream debate, as well as to share your thoughts on European elections, whether you feel represented in Brussels, and how European elections could be made more equal and fair.
Speaker Line-Up:
Damian Boeselager, MEP and co-founder of Volt Europa, has since the start of his political career pushed for a more European electoral law. As political lead of 'I vote Europe', he will open and lead the conversation together with his team.
Domènec Ruiz Devesa, MEP for the Socialists &D Democrats Group, Vice president of the Union of European Federalists, and S&D spokesperson in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. He is the EP rapporteur on the European Electoral Law that is set to change the way we vote for the European elections
Leonie Martin is the President of JEF Europe (Young European Federalists) and leads their executive board. Her areas of focus include the Eurozone and Banking Union, Rule of Law, Brexit, EU Association Law, Conference on the Future of Europe, Free Movement and the Schengen Area.
Alberto Alemanno is Jean Monnet Professor in European Union Law & Policy at HEC Paris. He is one of the leading voices on the democratization of the European Union. His research and advocacy has been centered on how the law may be used to improve people’s lives and has written extensively on democratic innovation and participatory democracy.
Simon Lindkær Andersen, most impassioned interests revolve around inclusive democratic participation and engaging especially marginalized young people in electoral politics. His experience is primarily in the liberal youth movement (IFLRY & LYMEC), where he has worked nationally and internationally, having served amongst other things as foreign policy speaker and chairman of the policy committee of the Danish Liberal Youth.
CALLING ALL STUDENTS:
European Democracy Academy (Student Pilot Programme)
Participate in the EDA to interact with MEPs and policymakers from Europe!
After the discussion from our panel of MEPs and experts, we will give you an opportunity to engage and react. We will give the floor to all selected students to express their opinions, react and exchange with policymakers from the parliament, commission and civil society. Prepare your questions, opinions, thoughts and remarks!
Send us your application including a small motivation letter and your ideas on how we can improve European elections and make them more equal (Max 1 page) to press@ivoteurope.eu with the subject “European Democracy Academy - Application”. Please tell us your name, your age, where and what you are studying. We can't wait to hear your suggestions!