Upcoming European elections - Numerous youths embrace European sentiments. Many young individuals support Europe.
According to a survey conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, young people in Germany and Europe hold a favorable view of the European Union. The poll, titled "eupinions," revealed that while a majority of young people aren't planning to participate in the upcoming European Parliament election on June 9th, they are more satisfied with the EU's democratic processes than older individuals.
13,241 participants took part in the poll, aged between 16 and 69 years old. In Europe as a whole, 59% of 16- to 25-year-olds expressed intention to vote, while in Germany, this figure dropped slightly to 57%. Among those aged 26 to 69, the percentage of adults intending to vote was higher, with 65% in Europe and 62% in Germany.
Out of 1,837 German participants, 67% felt that "democracy works well in the European Union." Many young Germans prioritize the protection of peace (59%) as a key future goal for the EU. Moreover, their concerns included preserving civil rights (50%) and tackling climate change (42%). In contrast, the older respondents were more focused on issues such as the economy and the eurozone.
The study's findings suggest that young people in Germany are generally pro-European Union. If a referendum were held on Germany's EU membership, 78% of youngsters would vote in favor of remaining, compared to only two-thirds of their older counterparts. This year, for the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds are eligible to vote in the EU election in Germany, bringing in an estimated five million first-time voters.
