Thread by @AgataGostynska

Why is there in principle low interest in #EP2019 across member-states? A short #thread before I dash for Saturday barbecue.

1. You might often hear that the turnout in the EP elections has been falling (to reach record low -42.6 per cent) due to a growing disconnect between average EU citizens and 'far away Brussels'. But take such a response -likely coming from eurosceptics- with a pinch of salt.

2. Indeed, EU is far from perfect& could perhaps listen to citizens better. But national politicians from mainstream parties are particularly to blame. They used to spend little time and energy on EP elections&contributed to the general feeling that these are 'second order elect'

3. There are also very few 'bold differences' between the centre-right & centre-left parties on policies that really matter for citizens. This has contributed to the public apathy and the attitude described as 'Why should I vote for more of the same?'

4. This, as a result, has pushed many voters in the arms of more radical parties, many of which (though not all of them) are Eurosceptic.

5. This is not a new phenomenon and I do get annoyed when the media portrays it this way. The problem is that the mainstream has long been complacent about this trend and did little to win back voters.

6. Instead, they often copied some of the populists' narrative or even entered into alliances with them- which - as Austria #Strache affair shows- does not end well.

7. And, so the integration process has probably reached the point which is a wake-up call for all pro-Europeans. It is predicted that all eurosceptic/populist parties could get perhaps even 1/3 of the seats.

8. It is unlikely that they will paralyze the EU decision-making process - they will struggle to create a cohesive block in the EP- but they will be breathing down the pro-Europeans neck.

9. But because I like finishing my threads on the positive note - I think that this greater polarisation in the EP could force the pro-European block (which will still have majority) to be more vocal and straightforward in defending EU values and the European project.