MaltaMedia.com

European citizens seem to be mobilising for the 4-7 June European Parliament elections, says a TNS Opinion survey commissioned by the European Parliament, and the Maltese and Irish seem to be the most keen to vote.

The numbers saying that they plan to vote is clearly up on previous surveys, even though doubts remain as to whether they will in fact do so. Interest in the elections also seems stronger. Unemployment and the economy still top the list of Europeans’ concerns.

The poll points to a 49% turnout (fieldwork 4-15 May), up from 34% in the previous Eurobarometer survey (January and February). 43% of respondents said they were certain to vote and a further 6% said they were very likely to do so. 12% seem certain not to vote, down from 19% at the start of the year.

72 per cent of Maltese and Irish voters say they will definitely cast their vote and top the league. Easter European countries such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia are at the bottom.

The May poll found that 53% of Europeans were interested in the elections, and 46% were not. At the start of the year, 44% were interested and 53% were not.

This survey does not provide a firm forecast of the 4-7 June election results. Its findings suggest that the number of citizens planning to vote is growing, but there is no guarantee that the turnout rate will be equivalent to that of 2004.

As to campaign issues, unemployment is still the top concern for 57% of Europeans, followed by economic growth (45%). Next come insecurity (32%), and the future of pensions (31%), which now come well ahead of inflation, purchasing power, and other broad concerns such as climate change and terrorism.