NEXT DEBATE: How can the EU enhance civic engagement and political participation?
Thursday 27 March 2025 at 15h30 CET
Live from the European Parliament
Livestreamed on this page and The Brussels Times website and social
Date: 27 March 2025
Time: 15h30 – 16h30 CET
Live from the European Parliament. Livestreamed on this page as well as The Brussels Times website and social media channels
Despite a modest increase in voter turnout to 50.66% in the 2019 European Parliament elections, participation remains below the levels seen in the early years of the EU, with significant disparities among member states. For instance, Belgium had a turnout of 88.47%, while Slovakia’s was only 22.74%.
To address this democratic deficit, we invite you to a pivotal roundtable discussion within the European Parliament. This event will convene Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives from civic engagement organizations to examine the critical role of EU citizens’ understanding of the Union’s functions in fostering greater political participation.
The dialogue will focus on:
By uniting policymakers and civil society, this roundtable aims to formulate actionable solutions to bridge the gap between EU citizens and their governing bodies, thereby reinforcing the democratic legitimacy of the European Union.
The event will be live-streamed by The Brussels Times, enabling widespread public participation through interactive Q&A sessions. Join us in this essential conversation to empower citizens and invigorate democratic engagement across Europe.
25 September 2024
16h30 – 18h00