Summary of the day
Campaigning has continued ahead of the European elections.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European People’s party (EPP) lead candidate, campaigned in Finland.
Evin Incir, a member of the European parliament from the Swedish Social Democratic party who is running for re-election, said she is “worried that the far-right, conservative and liberal groups will join forces” in the next European parliament.
She also said that when speaking with voters “the biggest issue has been the Russian aggression against Ukraine” and that climate issues are playing a role in the election.
Arba Kokalari, a candidate for Sweden’s centre-right Moderate party, told the Guardian that “there is a general higher awareness about the EU elections, and the importance to vote.”
She said that “from the EPP side, we will be able to – I hope – be the ones that everyone wants to talk to.”
Robert Biedroń, a member of the European parliament from Poland’s New Left, said in an email that “if I should describe our goal in just one word, it would definitely be mobilisation and invitations of young voters to participate in the elections.”
Asked about the possible expansion of the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR), Anna Fotyga, a longtime member of the European parliament and Poland’s Law and Justice, said “I’m experienced enough to wait for election results.”
She also added that “of course, we are happy with prospects of expanding the group, but simply wait for the final results.”
Piotr Stolecki, a candidate for Poland 2050 – part of the Third Way alliance – said that “we are very worried about the turnout.”
Maria Guzenina, a candidate for the Finnish Social Democratic party, said “people are quite worried about the far-right and far-left” in Europe.
Asked about an ongoing debate in Brussels about the centre-right will open up to cooperating with parties such as Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, Guzenina said “this is a concern everybody should share, even within the EPP – this is a potential hazard.”
Ted Apter, a candidate for the Finnish centre-right National Coalition party, said that out on the campaign trail “security matters” and “our eastern border” are issues raised across the country.
Lithuania’s president, Gitanas Nausėda, has already cast his ballot – and is calling on all EU citizens to vote.
I already voted at the #EuElections2024 🇪🇺.
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) June 4, 2024
Voting is not only a duty but also a privilege given to us by democracy. It's all of us, #EU citizens, who will determine what kind of future we want & what kind of Europe we will live in.
Have your say! #VoteForEurope pic.twitter.com/MWxB9W0Mv9
