European citizens’ movement also wants non-Belgians to vote in our federal elections

EU citizens abroad cannot take part in the national elections of the country where they live. A European citizens’ initiative wants to change that.

The last plenary session of the European Parliament before the elections is over. It is noticeably quiet on the Esplanade in front of the huge parliament building in Brussels. Echoes from a speaker Lay all your love on me from ABBA. Catchy tunes from Eurovision winners should lure passers-by to the improvised voting booth of ‘Voters without borders’.

A group of young people from all over Europe symbolically collect votes in a bright blue painted voting box. 27 colored balloons tied to a white tent represent the member states of the European Union.

“We must keep our democracy alive,” says Tony Vinables, who is supporting the citizens’ initiative with think tank ECIT. ‘Stronger European citizenship is a way to protect our democracy against external threats. Universal voting rights are therefore crucial.’

16 years

The ballot paper brings together the three main demands of ECIT and Voters Without Borders.

• ‘Should all EU countries introduce voting rights from the age of 16?’
• ‘To be allowed to EU citizens participate in all elections in the country where they live?’
• ‘Should non-EU citizens in Europe have the same political rights as EU citizens?’

19-year-old Kim Kellner does not hide her enthusiasm for the first statement. In her home country of Austria, 16-year-olds have been entitled to vote since 2007. ‘As far as I’m concerned, the age should be even lower. The issues that keep young people awake at night would otherwise not be on the political agenda enough. It would be a positive evolution if the Austrian example were extended to all European member states.’

Freedom of movement

More than 13 million EU citizens live in another Member State. They may participate in local and European elections, but cannot vote nationally or regionally for the country where they live. Sebastian Berchesan, executive director of the NGO Stand up for Europe, is also present at the action at Parliament. ‘The freedom to move is a fundamental European right. I was born in Romania but live and work in Belgium. I am concerned about policy measures in Belgium, but I cannot make my voice heard in the national elections.’

The young people of Voters Without Borders hope to convey their demands to the European Parliament. They already have the support of several European Parliament members, including Alin Mutata of Renew Europe.

Yet a previous attempt to collect the required 1 million signatures to put the demands on Parliament’s agenda failed. ‘By organizing these types of events, we hope to create more awareness among the public. We remain convinced that we are part of a historic struggle,” Vinables said.

Non-EU citizens

It does not seem easy to find support for the third demand, full voting rights for non-EU citizens. However, Vinobles believes in his cause. ‘Women’s right to vote used to be controversial. As soon as you arrive in a country, you also pay taxes, for example on food in the store. Then it is only logical that you also vote. If it is possible for the local elections, why not for the national elections?’