Why are European elections so insignificant?

While abstention is expected to be very high in the May 26 poll, the theme of the European elections is not widely discussed on social networks.

Less than three weeks before D-Day! And yet, the European elections of May 26 do not seem to still enthrall the crowds. According to several polls, participation should not exceed … 45 or even 40%.

Admittedly, this 2019 election is no exception, as abstention in the European elections is still very high. In 2009 and 2014, fewer than one in two voters went to the polls (40.63 and 42.43% respectively). Review of the different reasons for this apparent lack of interest.

An issue that seems distant. "The European elections are very difficult to understand: what are the MEPs for? What is the European Parliament? … ", points out Bruno Cautrès, researcher at the Center for Political Research at Sciences Po (Cevipof).

"This vote is said to be second-rate because it is not used to distribute the executive power to Europe," adds the political scientist. In the absence of a president, voters elect "only" deputies, whose power will then be corseted by that of the European Council, bringing together the 27 heads of state and government. "Europe is far away …" is also one of the most heard remarks when it comes to the European elections........