LIVING SPACE (RESILIENCE)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS 2024
PRESIDENTS MATTARELLA, STEINMEIER AND VAN DER BELLEN: «WE URGE YOU VOTE IN THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS, THIS IS HOW DEMOCRACY IS DEFENDED»
Statement published by Corriere della Sera on 10 May 2024.

The joint declaration is signed by the Italian, German and Austrian Presidents.
75 million civilians and soldiers lost their lives to free Europe from the horror of Fascism and Nazism.
They died because of deliberate genocide, massacres, mass-bombings, disease, and starvation.

The European far right national and populist parties seemingly don’t care about the tragedy, horror, and devastation of World War II.
The European far right parties aim at the destruction of the fundamental values of the European Union.

Read this noble statement, and think carefully before you cast your vote.
Honour the lives of the 75 million victims!

“Our three countries know that once democracy is achieved it is not guaranteed, and that exasperated nationalism generates war. It is not surprising that those who question basic democratic principles also question the European project."
Presidents Mattarella, Steinmeier and Van der Bellen: «We all vote in the European elections, this is how democracy is defended»

Elections will take place in 2024 in countries representing more than half of the world's population. It will be a crucial year for democracy in Europe and in many parts of the world. In the not too distant future, we may come to regard this as a defining year that will have established the course for the decades to come.

More than four hundred million European citizens can choose their representatives in the European Parliament to whom we can entrust the construction of our future Europe. We must collectively reflect on what future prospects we want to secure and how we intend to address the far-reaching challenges that lie ahead.

As Presidents of the Republic, we ask our citizens to take part in this decision and go to vote!

We see the fundamental values of pluralism, human rights and the rule of law, our values, challenged in the world, if not openly threatened. What is at stake is nothing other than the foundations of our democratic order. A system in which governments are held accountable by an informed citizenry, in which strong institutions guarantee the rights of all, especially minorities, and in which politics is a process that seeks solutions through vigorous but civil debate.

Our three countries know that once achieved, democracy is not guaranteed. We know that freedom and democracy must be defended and consolidated, that the conflict of exasperated nationalisms generates war. History teaches that where democracy fails, humanity and political reason are suffocated.

As Presidents of liberal democracies, we are honoured to represent our diverse societies, with a multiplicity of opinions and cultures. As Presidents we know that representing our countries means listening to many voices and uniting many opinions. It is, therefore, essential to defend democratic institutions and values, the guarantees of freedom, the independence of the media, the role of democratic political oppositions, the separation of powers, the value of limits on the exercise of power.

Our liberal democratic order is deeply linked to European unification: by anchoring ourselves in a European community of values and legal norms, we have presented to the world a coexistence based on democratic order and peace.
It is not surprising that those who question basic democratic principles also question the European project. They forget that in a world where authoritarian systems are on the rise, European democracies must be truly united. Only in a strong European Union will we have sufficient weight to defend our freedom and our democracy in an increasingly precarious world, working for a global order characterised by freedom, dignity of every person, respect for every State and international law.

A united Europe is unthinkable without democracy, and European democracy needs democrats throughout Europe. Citizens who see democratic freedom as their cause.

Voting in elections is a simple but powerful way to reaffirm and consolidate this model.

It is encouraging that many of our fellow citizens work hard to strengthen and defend the democratic fabric that unites us every day. By voluntarily using their time and energy to help the less fortunate, taking on responsibilities in associations, communities and politics.

Our democracies are strong because they have the support of engaged citizens. In this way they are radically different from the regimes that oppress their citizens, sow fear in their societies, and threaten their neighbours.

The upcoming elections for the European Parliament will offer the opportunity to elect representatives who are committed to finding constructive solutions, accepting the complexity of the democratic system. Let us use this opportunity when we exercise this fundamental right.

By participating in the vote we defend liberal institutions, the rule of law, our founding values, our common freedom.

We are truly "united in diversity", within our countries and within our European Union.

This has allowed us to live in the most peaceful and prosperous Europe we have ever known. It is a great heritage that is worth defending and developing by exercising the democratic right to vote.

Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany
Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria“