The European elections of June 9th provide an opportunity for lesser-known political movements to gain exposure and make their voices heard. While attention is often focused on the major parties, a plethora of smaller movements are vying for attention in this year’s elections. Unlike other elections such as the presidential race, European elections do not require candidates to gather signatures from elected officials, making it easier for smaller parties to participate. This allows lesser-known parties to showcase their ideas and causes, gaining a platform they might not have in national elections.
One such party is the French branch of the Europe démocratie espéranto party, which advocates for adopting Esperanto as a common language across Europe. While they acknowledge their slim chances of winning a seat in the European Parliament, their main goal is to raise awareness about this transnational language. For movements like this, the European elections offer a chance to spark interest and engage with the public, even if victory seems unattainable.
However, not all smaller parties are simply participating in the European elections to make a statement. Equinoxe, a newly created party with an ecologist platform, aims to win seats in the European Parliament on June 9th. They emphasize that they are not in the race just to make an appearance, but to achieve concrete results with a well-developed program. Despite these ambitions, Marine Cholley, the party’s leader, acknowledges the existence of a glass ceiling for parties like hers, especially in France where a minimum threshold of 5% of the vote is required to secure a seat in the European Parliament.
In the 2019 European elections, nearly 20% of votes were cast for parties that failed to reach this threshold, effectively negating millions of ballots. Marine Cholley expresses frustration with this system, contrasting it with the German electoral system where there is no minimum threshold for winning a seat in Strasbourg. This discrepancy in the electoral process leads her to question the value of a French citizen’s vote compared to that of a German citizen. The challenges faced by smaller parties highlight the need for electoral reform to ensure that every vote counts.
In the lead-up to the European elections, the number of participating parties is expected to be around thirty, a slight increase from the previous election. This diversity of voices enriches the political debate and offers voters a wider range of choices. While smaller parties may face obstacles in gaining traction and winning seats, their participation is crucial for promoting alternative ideas and perspectives within the political landscape. As the campaign unfolds, these parties will strive to make their mark and engage with voters on key issues facing Europe.
