Help boost our European profile )
DISY MEP candidate Christos Stylianides explains why Cypriots should vote
A COMMON characteristic of European elections throughout the EU is that the poll is too “loose” and lacks real power. This leads to a high abstention rate compared to national elections. Although Cyprus is not immune, abstention figures will be smaller than the EU average. However, even that is not enough. There are plenty of reasons to draw European citizens to the polling stations on June 6. For some countries, however, the reasons to vote are more profound than others.
There are five main reasons why Cypriot citizens should vote in the Euro elections.
1. Participation in the elections helps strengthen an EU that has resolved many disputes between its member states. It has improved standards of living throughout Europe and has set an example of social policies in the world.
2. A high participation rate will re-enforce the European Parliament`s status. The Treaty of Lisbon brings the parliament to the forefront of European action, giving it more power to legislate. All the more reason for the Members of the next European Parliament to be the representatives of the true majority of European citizens. Voters must appreciate that the European Parliament will decide on many issues which affect our day to day lives, more so than the national parliaments do.
3. A high Cypriot turnout will boost our European profile. As a small member state, Cyprus relies mainly on the credibility of its positions and image for influence within the European Union. We have many expectations and demands on the EU but little to offer in exchange. We need the support of our European friends on important issues such as the evaluation of Turkey`s progress. A high abstention rate will make things more difficult for us, whereas a high participation rate will demonstrate clearly our commitment to the EU.
4. By voting we send certain political messages. The political group we choose shows what kind of Europe Cypriots support. DISY is without doubt the most “European” choice one can make. Strengthening its position will send the message that we truly support the European Union. At the same time it will show that people recognise the efforts DISY has made within Europe and the feats it has accomplished within the European People`s Party.
5. Admittedly, the elections would be more democratic if a horizontal system of voting was applied. That way a voter would be free to choose two candidates from two different political parties, if he or she so wished. Although this is not possible yet here in Cyprus, at least voters may indicate their most preferred choice of candidate. The message is simple: it is people who vote who decide who represents Cyprus in the European Parliament. Citizens who do not vote, simply don`t have a say in the matter.
Send you r message on June 6
Christos Stylianides, MP
Ex Government Spokesman
DISY Candidate for the European Parliament
