Advocacy – European Elections Toolkit

On 6-9 June 2024, EU countries will hold elections to select 720 members of the European Parliament for the next five years. Navigating the European elections can be challenging, as they involve 27 separate elections in 27 member states, each with its own procedures and rules. While there are numerous online guides on how to register for the elections (which we hope you did), selecting your candidate might still seem daunting.

To help you make an informed choice, our partner organisation Culture Action Europe has compiled valuable information about the EU elections keeping cultural perspective in focus. In the toolkit, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to make your decision, including prepared excerpts from the European political parties’ manifestos focusing on their views on cultural issues.

But why vote at all?

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs):

• approve the EU budget (incl. such funding programmes as Creative Europe);
• adopt binding laws that regulate the sphere (such as AI Act, Audiovisual Media Services Directive, etc.);
• articulate position on pressing issues to drive EU action forward (e.g. the resolution on artists’ working conditions);
• approve the European Commission’s President and the College of Commissioners.

The European Parliament (EP) is the EU’s only directly elected institution, so don’t miss your chance!

In the toolkit, you will be guided through a four-step process that will help you decide your vote:

1. Explore the manifestos of different European political parties and their stance on culture.
2.  Identify a national party that aligns with your preferred European party.
3.  Check the list of candidates of your national party.
4.  Learn about your candidate(s).

We hope this toolkit will be a valuable resource for you when participating in the elections!

Disclaimer: The toolkit is for informational purposes only. Please refer to the official websites of relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information. The content herein is not intended to influence your voting decision but aims to provide an overview of the election process. We encourage all readers to conduct their own research and verify information from official sources. This text and the toolkit do not endorse any political party or candidate.