SYMBOLIC VOTE TO EXPAND POLITICAL RIGHTS FOR AN INCLUSIVE EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP.

ECIT Foundation, Voters Without Borders, and Stand Up for Europe are organizing from 10AM to 6PM a Symbolic Vote on Friday April 26th, on the Esplanade of the European Parliament and in Place de la Petite Suisse in Brussels. With just a few days to go, don’t miss the opportunity to get involved.

Why 26 April? It is international voting rights day celebrating the 110th anniversary of the first symbolic vote organized by the women of France. Whilst we will be on the esplanade of the European Parliament, they will be back on the Place de la Republique in Paris.

All are welcome – particularly first-time voters – on the esplanade to vote on 3 questions :

● Should votes at 16 be spread throughout the EU? Should EU citizens be able to vote and stand in all elections in their country of residence? Should the political rights of EU citizens be extended to all residents?

Why now? It’s not just to celebrate the historical struggle to enlarge the franchise. 26 April also marks the end of the current EU legislature and the start of the European election campaign.

Sure, it’s important to defend European democracy against external threats, but not good enough. The reform agenda pioneered by the old European Parliament needs to be kept alive to strengthen European democracy from within.

Your votes and suggestions will be gathered together in a report with recommendations to the new Parliament to follow up and see implemented reforms proposed by its predecessor. This is a realistic aim, but it may be overlooked without your support.

Three rendezvous points will take place on the Esplanade on Friday 26 April: at 12 -for the press and multipliers, at 2PM -for policy makers, and at 4PM-for schools. We have also organized an e-version of the vote, for those unable to vote on the spot. This will be open till June 9th:

Lastly, we strongly encourage you not just to vote but also to share :

– this announcement

– the action kit for social media promotion(attached);

– the poster(attached) you can send round, print off and stick up with the QR code for the electronic vote until 9 June 2024.

We thank you for your time and hope to see you there !

All the best from your friends at ECIT Foundation,

Tony Venables

Amedeo Gasparini

Selma Remond

ECIT Foundation

Rue de la Loi 26
1000 Brussels

Transparency register’s ID public number: 040138431117-64

https://ecit-foundation.eu/