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BackFrom 6 to 9 June, EU citizens are called upon to elect the new EU Parliament. The future of Europe will be significantly shaped by the decisions taken in this body over the next five years. In particular, the interests of young people must not be neglected. In the joint campaign entitled ‘Voice for Democracy’, AK and ÖGB are emphasising the importance of young voters in the EU elections.
Around 370 million EU citizens in all 27 member states are called upon to cast their vote in the EU elections. In the last legislative period, the average age of the Members of the EU-Parliament was 49 years. Young people make up 25 percent of the EU population and are therefore significantly underrepresented at decision-making level. This is despite the fact that the rising voter turnout among young people in 2019 shows that there is an interest in more co-determination. The concerns of young people are often postponed to the future as their interests are not adequately represented.
The past few years have been particularly challenging for young people. The coronavirus crisis has had devastating consequences for many young people in particular: Rising youth unemployment, social isolation and worries about the future. These concerns are further fuelled by the climate crisis and war. In addition, the rising cost of living is also placing a heavy burden on young people in many ways. In view of these challenges, the composition of the new parliament will be decisive. It is the only body at EU level that can be directly elected. Together with the Council, it decides on laws, whereby young people's voices must no longer be neglected in these decision-making processes.
What the EU has done for young people so far
Through programmes such as Erasmus Plus, the EU offers young people training and career opportunities across Europe and promotes networking and exchanges between young people from different member states. The latter is also promoted by Discover EU, a programme that enables 18-year-olds to travel across Europe by train. The EU-Commission also set the goal of strengthening young people's participation at EU level during the European Year of Youth in 2022 and reaffirmed this in a communication in January 2024. As part of the EU Youth Strategy for 2019-2027, several initiatives have been launched. The EU Youth Dialogue, for example, gives young people the opportunity to develop recommendations with political decision-makers. These are certainly welcome actions. However, it is important to ensure that they actually improve the situation of young people, that the measures are equally accessible to all and are not merely used for youthwashing.
Putting an end to unpaid traineeships for good
For many young people, starting a new career is associated with major challenges. Companies often expect young workers to work for free in the form of unpaid traineeships. According to a study by the European Youth Forum, young people in Europe need around €1,000 a month to be able to afford such an internship at all. The opportunity to do an unpaid internship therefore presupposes certain privileges. At the same time, the creation of cheap or free labour also puts pressure on other regular employees in the respective sectors.
In March 2024, the EU Commission presented a draft Council recommendation and proposal for a directive, following a Council Recommendation on the Quality Framework for Traineeships from 2014, which aims to improve working conditions for trainees in the member states. Unfortunately the directive does not explicitly advocate a ban on unpaid traineeships. Even though the initiative is an important step towards equal opportunities and better conditions for interns, many questions remain unanswered. A well-intentioned initiative is not enough if it leaves room for loopholes that could be used to continue paying trainees too little or not at all. AK will therefore advocate for a directive that leaves no room for interpretation. Trainees must be fully protected under labour law and must not be exploited as cheap labour.
Digital future: Education instead of finger wagging
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now part of everyday life for many people. Even when scrolling through social media, algorithms are generated with the help of AI. While AI tools make everyday life easier in many respects, they also pose risks. It is important that political decision-makers are aware of both the potential and the dangers of AI and enact laws accordingly to protect people. With the AI Act, the first regulation concerning AI has been adopted at EU level. From AK’s point of view, the protection of consumers and workers is a top priority. What young people need when it comes to AI is not moralising and finger wagging, but rather awareness raising and empowerment in the correct use of new technologies. This is also important to guarantee protection on the digital sphere as well as to be prepared for the digital transformation on the labour market and the new challenges that will arise.
Social, just and sustainable transformation for young and old
The climate crisis and its social consequences are becoming increasingly noticeable in Europe. For young people in particular, it is an enormous burden, accompanied by fears for the future and negative health effects. With the European Green Deal, the EU took important steps in the fight against the climate crisis and set binding targets in the last legislative period. In order to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050 and at the same time a socially just and inclusive green transition, actions must successfully be implemented in the coming years.
Nearly one in two young people in Europe between the ages of 15 and 30 report that they have been active in some way for social change in the past year, e.g. by signing a petition or taking part in demonstrations. This shows that young people in Europe are interested in preserving and shaping a liveable present and future. This includes ensuring a strong social agenda, fighting for gender equality and strengthening protection against discrimination. A report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights shows that young queer people in particular are increasingly at risk of violence, harassment, and bullying. Inclusive equality and anti-discrimination measures must therefore be promoted at EU level. Young people must be given an equal say and take a seat at the negotiating table.
Empowering young voices!
Whoever is in power after the elections will play a key role in determining the political direction of the EU and, in the long run, the future of Europe. AK is committed to a Europe worth living in for young and old, whereby young people and their concerns must be heard in EU legislation in the interests of intergenerational justice. Strong young voices for democracy are needed to counteract the perceptible shift to the right and to guarantee important measures for climate protection, poverty reduction, social security, education and training as well as quality jobs. To this end, the European Trade Union Confederation has drawn up a manifesto for a Europe that empowers workers of all generations. The future of Europe lies in the hands of young people. A social, just and sustainable Europe that makes young voices heard is ultimately in the interest of all generations.
Further information:
ÖGB: Deine Stimme entscheidet! Warum du am 9. Juni zur EU-Wahl gehen solltest (German only)
ÖGB: Stimme für Demokratie (German only)
AK EUROPA: Voice for democracy. EU elections are just around the corner
AK EUROPA: Looking back. Social policy achievements of the past EU legislative period
AK EUROPA: The future and the present: Youth at the forefront
AK EUROPA: More support for young Europeans in the European Year of Youth 2022
European Youth Forum: Representing Europe’s Youth
Council: The European Union Youth Strategy 2019-2027