In a special edition of Eurofound Talks, Mary McCaughey is joined by Eurofound Executive Director Ivailo Kalfin and Ivan Krastev, Chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies and permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, to look at the political, social and economic drivers in Europe and how they might influence voters at the ballot box in June.
Unemployment is a predominant catalyst for lower political engagement in Europe, with the higher the unemployment rate, the higher the levels of non-voting. This was particularly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic with the unemployed, as well as those residing in rural and disadvantaged areas, much less likely to vote.
Workers on non-permanent contracts and workers with no formal contract are less satisfied with the functioning of democracy in their country, as are workers experiencing job insecurity.
Recorded trust in institutions such as national governments, the EU, the police and news media has declined across the EU over the past two years, with those who previously expressed higher trust levels, such as those in financially secure positions, now becoming less trusting.
Eurofound, in partnership with European Parliament Liaison office in Ireland and the European Commission Representation in Ireland, organised a special event at its premises in Dublin yesterday to mark Europe Day 2022, engage with young people in the community, and to give a voice to young Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.
Europe Day 2022 must reaffirm the values of Europe: human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and human rights. These values are now being tested daily and must be rigorously defended for the future of Europe and the future of our young people.
Eurofound, in partnership with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland and the European Commission Representation in Ireland, will celebrate Europe Day with a hybrid event on 9 May from 9.00 to 11.30.
Registration is still open for Foundation Forum 2022, a hybrid event that will bring together up to 1000 policymakers, employer and worker representatives, national governments, thinkers and practitioners - online and in Dublin Castle - on Thursday.
Eurofound, in partnership with the Irish Government, will host a high-level hybrid international event on 3 March 2022 at Dublin Castle, to explore how to build recovery and resilience in the EU in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ireland and Denmark are the most socially optimistic countries in the EU, according to Eurofound's Social Optimism Index, a newly developed composite indicator which measures six variables of optimism among people in Europe.
Citizens who feel their voice counts are not only more optimistic about their own future, but also about broader society and the institutions that govern their lives.
Trust in institutions has plummeted across the EU with trust in national governments in particular sending alarm signals across numerous Member States.
Overall trust in institutions such as national governments, the legal system, the EU, and the media has rebounded in Europe following the recent economic recovery. However, in a number of the Member States most adversely impacted by the crisis, trust in national institutions has still not returned to pre-crisis levels.