11:53: A political scientist remarks, "It's significant."
A European Parliament is being voted on for the tenth time, but many potential voters seem to not fully grasp the significance. Dr. Thorsten Faas, a political scientist, shares insights on why understanding the EU and the voting process feels complicated and the potential influence of "protest votes."
11:36 No comment in Burgdorf-Beinhorn: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen places her vote in her Lower Saxony hometown
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU Commission, casts her vote for the European election in her hometown in Lower Saxony. Viral with her partner, Heiko, they visit the modest voting station in Burgdorf-Beinhorn, part of Hanover. Wanting to stay anonymous, she won't make a statement and won't answer any questions. After voting, she grins in front of cameras for pictures and leaves the voting station within minutes. The 65-year-old is bidding for a second term as EU Commission President.
11:04 Preliminary data in the polls
Italian polling stations will continue operating to midnight. The EU plans to release the first projections for the European Parliament from 20:15, based on exit polls and some outcomes. The surveys suggest a move to the right in the European Parliament. According to the most recent polls, the conservative European People's Party, comprising the CDU and CSU, could still get most seats. Based on Politico's survey, it could achieve 173 seats, the Social Democrats (S&D) would earn 143 seats, and the Liberals may have 75. The far-right Conservative Reformists (ECR) with Giorgia Meloni's party might have 76 seats, and the smaller Identity and Democracy (ID) with Marine Le Pen's right-wing French populist might have 67 seats.
10:35 Struggles with voting: Millions utilize the Voting-O-Mat
The Federal Center for Political Education comments on an all-time high for the European election of using its Voting-O-Mat service. This service has already been used by citizens more often than before, with more than 10 million times and growing. It surpasses the last EU election's usage, hitting 9.8 million in 2019.
10:06 "Do you remember what you desired for Europe when you were sixteen?" - Renowned folks call for voting
Prominent figures are encouraging others to take action in a unique way: leveraging A.I. to look younger and address younger, first-time voters in small videos. "On June 9, it's the European election - it's about the future of our continent! For the first time, everybody aged 16 and over can vote!" states Veronica Ferres on Instagram.
A comic calls for voting: "Hello, this is the 16-year-old Carolin Kebekus," she proclaims, and then asks: "Do you still recall everything you wished for Europe while you were sixteen? Free roam, education abroad, adjusting perspectives. I didn't have that choice then. But you do now. So set yourself free and choose the Europe that you fantasized of when you were sixteen or as if you were sixteen." Germany, for the first time, allows 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in European elections. Approximately 1.4 million people are eligible to vote.
09:35: Expert's perspective: "The traffic light is likely to receive a note in general"
The European election experiences low voter turnout in most cases. However, political expert Albrecht von Lucke considers this will be different today. A conservative swing and potentially a wake-up call for the Berlin traffic light coalition are anticipated; yet, there's a "yet."
09:11: German-born man may become the mayor of Florence
The Fratelli d'Italia candidate, Eike Schmidt, who originated in Germany, has a potential to be elected as the mayor of Florence in the Italian municipal elections occurring on this day. Schmidt served as the director of the globally-acclaimed Uffizi until last year. The post-fascist Italian party championed by Meloni and others supported his campaign in the local election races. Florence is historically a stronghold for the Italian Left, and Schmidt could profit from the divisions among left-wing parties. Currently, his rival Sara Funaro of the Democratic Party leads the polls.
8 a.m. marks the start of the European election in Germany, where citizens have the opportunity to directly elect a new parliament. Voting will continue until 6 p.m., and an estimated 65 million people - including 16-year-olds - are eligible to cast their votes. With approximately 1400 candidates representing 35 parties and other political associations in Germany, this election is significant. It is one of 21 countries participating in this direct election across state borders. The European Parliament will have 720 seats in total, with 96 of those seats coming from Germany.
Concurrently with the European election, citizens in Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt are being called upon to vote for district councils, municipal councils, and mayors. In Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia, these municipal elections are serving as crucial tests for the state elections in September. The results of the municipal elections in Thuringia will be delayed until Monday, allowing more focus on the European election.
The performance of the AfD, or Alternative for Germany party, is being closely observed as they vie for positions in these elections, especially on a local level. The European election is currently receiving the primary attention of Germans, but municipal elections are an important aspect in the lead-up to state elections.
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Despite the ongoing European elections, local elections in several German states are also taking place. For instance, in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia, these municipal elections serve as crucial tests for the state elections in September. Germany is experiencing a high turnout in the use of the Voting-O-Mat service for the European election, surpassing the last EU election's usage. In Burgdorf-Beinhorn, Lower Saxony, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU Commission, casts her vote without making a statement, suggesting that she is aware of the significance of these European elections and their potential impact on her second term as EU Commission President, despite also focusing on local elections.
