Survey Highlights Youth Distrust in Political System Ahead of European Elections
In a recent Eurobarometer survey, a significant number of young Cypriots expressed their reluctance to participate in the forthcoming European elections, citing a profound distrust in politics. The survey, which delved into the attitudes of the youth towards democracy, revealed that only 31 percent of young individuals in Cyprus are involved in societal change initiatives, such as signing petitions or partaking in rallies, a figure that starkly contrasts with the European Union average of 48 percent.
The report highlighted that 28 percent of the respondents from Cyprus attribute their decision not to vote to a general distrust in the political system, the highest percentage recorded in the survey alongside Spain. With the elections scheduled for June 9, the survey encompassed responses from Cypriot youths aged between 15 and 30, collected between April 4 and April 12 from a sample of 509 individuals.
Disenchantment with political parties and candidates is another significant factor contributing to voter apathy, with 24 percent of Cypriot respondents indicating this as their reason for abstaining from voting—a sentiment far less prevalent in countries like Finland, where it stands at six percent. Moreover, a lack of interest in politics and a belief that the EU does not adequately address their problems were cited by 21 percent and 20 percent of young Cypriots, respectively.
Despite these concerns, a majority of young people in Cyprus—53 percent—still intend to vote, albeit lower than the EU average of 64 percent. On a positive note, the survey found that 71 percent of young Cypriots feel that their education system has equipped them with the necessary digital skills to discern misinformation, and 64 percent acknowledge the EU’s impact on their daily lives to some extent.
The Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, remains hopeful about increasing youth participation in the upcoming elections. Reflecting on the surge in engagement during the 2019 elections, Schinas anticipates building on this momentum to strengthen European democracy in these challenging times.
