Milan – Election day on 8 and 9 June merged the elections European and administrative. In Lombardy, in 961 municipalities out of 1,502 citizens were called to the polls not only to choose MEPs but also mayors and city councilors. Different results emerged in terms of participation. The overall turnout at the European elections in Lombardy stopped at 55.29% while at the local elections it reached 62.61%. A difference of 7 percentage points which is reduced in the provinces where the mayor of the capital was voted (Bergamo, Cremona, Pavia).
In Brinzio, a small town in the Varese area (700 inhabitants), over 72% voted to choose the mayor. It is the record in the province with the second lowest turnout in the local elections (58.29%) and the worst in the European elections (51.69%). Among the percentages relating to electoral participation there are seven points of difference in favor of the municipal ones. Same delta as recorded in Lombardy. The most international region, at the top for exports (163 billion in 2023), has closed election day with 55.29% of voters in the European elections and 61.89% in the local elections. In the province of Sondrio the gap grows up to 9 percentage points: 61.91% turnout in the municipal elections and 52.37% in the European elections. In 11 centers of Valtellina the participation in the vote for Brussels is closer to 30 than 40%. In Spriana, in Valmalenco, the choice of MEPs attracted only 28.33%. For the mayor, however, several municipalities have exceeded the 70% ceiling. “These are significant data” he comments Antonio Campati, researcher at the Catholic University who teaches political science.
Antonio Campati researcher at the Catholic University where he teaches political science
How do they justify themselves?
“First of all, they overall confirm a general trend linked to the increase in abstentionism. Historically, people vote more in local elections because the mayor and the municipal councilor are the expression of a more immediate bond with the citizens: these data also seem to certify that local democracy suffers a a little less than the national and European one”.
How much does the electoral system have an impact?
“It is one of the determining factors. Since 1993 the election of the mayor has been direct: it is no coincidence that various political forces are asking to bring this mechanism to a national level to choose the prime minister as if he were in fact the mayor of Italy. Other factors that influence on abstentionism at the European elections are mistrust and disinterest towards the EU”.
Why does mistrust persist?
“Many parties, even the most “Euroenthusiasts”, have carried out an electoral campaign based on distrust. We vote for representatives in Europe with the proportional system between the citizens’ vote and the number of seats allocated to the European Parliament. Above all, we vote for the proposed candidates by parties rooted at a national level that join European parliamentary groups: the electoral campaign is conditioned by national themes and controversies and the candidates’ proposals are also part of an internal competition within the party. The citizen perceives all this as a contradiction with the European context Furthermore, as with policies, those elected act without mandate: they should represent everyone’s interests regardless of who chose them.”
How can elected representatives in this legislature reduce distrust and disinterest?
“The first suggestion is not to limit ourselves to the narrative of what Europe does, which is important but not enough. Our MEPs must be more present in the territories, in the five large constituencies, to collect citizens’ requests. Exactly how to go from As the councilor helps to solve the pothole under our house, we need to make it clear that we have many reasons why it is useful to go to Brussels: think for example of the many entrepreneurs who export goods and services. It is not true that citizens are not represented, they are not they feel represented. And the responsibility lies not only with the voters but also with the political class.”
Are there any encouraging signs?
“Yes, even if we struggle to grasp them. Institutional initiatives to bring citizens closer together and fill the gap felt between their will and Europe’s decisions have increased. And young people are more interested in the EU: between 18 and 34 years, trust in Europe is 54.5%. It has not decreased compared to 2019”.
