EU28. Filmmakers and personalities from the cinema world across Europe are coming together during the Cannes Film Festival to publish a manifesto stressing the importance of voting in the European elections. The manifesto, initiated by the French Film Directors’ Guild (SRF), the Directors’ Fortnight, the European Film Academy (EFA), the Federation of European Film Directors (FERA) and the Society of Audio-visual Authors (SAA) has around 400 signatories. French director Celine Sciamma and other directors will launch the manifesto on Tuesday 21 May at 17:30, in front of the Malmaison, seat of the Directors Fortnight. The event, followed by a photo call, will gather film directors, authors and key figures of the cinema world from across Europe.
EU28. Austrian singer Conchita WURST has a message for you ahead of the European elections on 23-26 May: "Go vote!". Join the #thistimeimvoting community.
EU28. Economic growth and jobs are perceived as most important topics in the ongoing election campaign by 50 % of Europeans, according to the last Eurobarometer survey, especially in Greece (81%), Latvia (68 %), Lithuania and Portugal (67 %). See the dedicated multimedia package on what Parliament has done to help the EU economy recover from the crisis and what’s at stake now.
BELGIUM. The election campaign is in full swing, with audiovisual programmes on what is at stake for the European elections being hosted by different channels, such as Radio 1 (VRT) and RTL TV. Lead candidates have also been participating in debates on both sides of the country: Paul Magnette (PS) and Olivier Chastel (MR) will debate on RTBF Radio on 24 May, while Geert Bourgeois (NVA) and Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE) debated on VRT TV on 19 May.
CROATIA. Miroslav Ciro Blazevic, a celebrated football coach who led the Croatian national team to a bronze medal in the 1998 World Cup, has appeared in a European elections campaign ad on behalf of the Serbian minority party SDSS. In the video, Blazevic directly addresses the audience, calling for tolerance, with the message that “all humans are equal”.
DENMARK. An election event with five of the Danish lead candidates on how the EU reinforces the green transition will be organised today in Folketinget (Danish Parliament). Issues to be debated include the Common Agricultural Policy and how to ensure it supports the climate and the environment, as well as chemicals and air pollution. More info here (in Danish).
FINLAND. Fact checking service Fact bar is organising two simultaneous events in Helsinki and Brussels on Thursday evening to follow a TV debate on EU elections staged by the national broadcaster YLE. The audience will be observing if the party leaders are using fact-based arguments in the debate.
FRANCE. Thanks to a modification of the Civil Code last March, French citizens placed under guardianship and suffering from a physical or mental disability will be able to vote for the first time for the European elections and all upcoming elections in the country. To help disabled people go to vote, the Paris Council has taken several measures, including producing pedagogical videos and leaflets, braille inscriptions next to the ballot papers or providing personal assistance in the voting booth for those unable to carry out certain physical actions.
LATVIA. Early voting will be possible in polling stations across the country starting from Wednesday. Voters can cast their ballot in any station during early voting, however their vote will only be accepted in their registered station on Saturday, the Election Day.
NETHERLANDS. “De Race om Europa” festival will take place in Amsterdam on the evening of 22 May, with performances from the /Kiesvrouwen/ and others (theatre, movies, debate, podcasts, music, etc). More information here. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom vote on Thursday 23 May.
SPAIN. Public broadcaster TVE is organising the second and last EE19 television debate, on Wednesday 22 May. After several modifications, the final guest list includes nine candidates, from eight lists already represented in the European Parliament: PP (EPP), PSOE (S&D), Unidas Podemos (GUE/Greens), Ciudadanos (ALDE), Ahora Republicas (Greens - GUE), Compromis (Greens - GUE), Lliures per Europa (ALDE) and Coalicion por una Europea Solidaria (ALDE), plus far-right party VOX, which obtained 1.57% of the votes in 2014.
By: N. Peter Kramer
