Edward Steen in Vienna, June 06, 2024
The Europe-wide elections from today till June 9 could well prove the most crucial since they began in 1979, when the EU consisted of just nine member states.
At stake is the political colour of the future Europe, with the Right enjoying a groundswell of popular support, and whether the centre-right Ursula van der Leyen can survive as President of the Commission. Or will she be displaced if she fails to rally enough allies? France is backing the former head of the ECB, Mario Draghi, but he is not the only rival.
The clamour of voices and opinions across the Continent is deafening. These elections are as much about acceptance of immigration/ refugees as about security in face of the bloody and relentless Russian invasion of Ukraine, and not least about whether the EU should take in new members in the Balkans.
The AEJ is politically neutral, but above all concerned with the core issues, for us, of defending open democracy and free, independent media, now under more and more pressure, not least from Russian online interference.
We agree with the advice to use your vote. Final results for the entire EU will be announced in Brussels after polls close on Sunday night.
- Balkan Insight, June 6, 2024.Stories being played out in member states: referendums on ruling parties; pro-Russian vs pro-Western. High turnout predicted.
- CNN, June 4, 2024 Doppelgänger and deep fakes from Russia
- RFE/ RL June 3, 2024 Briefing #1: Europe Votes
- EU Digital Strategy, June 2, 2024 Strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation
- BIRN, May 5, 2024 Documentary lifts lid on Russian disinformation in Balkans
- AEJ Year of elections 2024. Hazards for reportersJ
- AEJ Who gets what after European elections?
- AEJ Gloves off in battle for European democracy