Elections: The EESC and the European Parliament agree to close cooperation ahead of 2024 European elections

Today, the Presidents of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Oliver Röpke and the European Parliament (EP), Roberta Metsola signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in preparation for the European elections, scheduled for June 6-9, 2024.

The partnership aims to deepen the cooperation between the two institutions to promote European elections, boost voters turnout – especially among non-voters and first-time voters – and counter information manipulation. Among other measures, the institutions agreed to enhance synergies in media relations, coordinate organisation of events, such as Open Doors Day or the Civil Society Week, and share information on "together.eu" and "What Europe does for me" platforms.  

The EESC President, Oliver Röpke said: "The European elections will be a litmus test of European democracy. The EESC can be the platform for the civil society to rise up for that democracy. I welcome today's Memorandum of Understanding with the European Parliament, allowing us to play a more active role in the run up to the elections and engage with the voters to increase the turnout. The EESC and the European Parliament are partners and allies."

Promoting elections and reaching out to voters 

The Memorandum outlines specific areas, where cooperation between the EESC and the EP should be continued and strengthened in the run up to the 2024 European elections. The key areas of cooperation include:

• The EESC will invite the EP to participate in the Civil Society Week scheduled for 4-7 March;
• The EESC and the EP will closely coordinate the organisation of their respective Europe Day/Open Doors Day on 4 May in Brussels;
• The EESC will organise debates before and after the 2024 European elections and will invite the EP to contribute;
• The EESC will ensure that its visitors and stakeholders are informed about the European elections;
• The EP will share its press toolkit, inter-institutional playbook and Members’ toolkit with the EESC, as well as various promotional items related to the European elections;
• The EP will share its communication assets with the EESC for further dissemination;
• The EP will involve the EESC in various events related to the European elections, both in the European capitals and in Brussels;
• The European Parliament will provide access to "What Europe does for me" and "together.eu" platforms.
• The EESC will adopt a Resolution ahead of the European elections and a  second cross-cutting document to convey civil society's expectations for the upcoming mandates of the European Parliament and the Commission.

During his visit to Strasbourg, President Röpke addressed the Conference of Committee Chairs to further enhance the cooperation between the EESC and the EP. He also held several meetings with leading MEPs including David McAllister, Alessandra Moretti, Andrius Kubilius, Raphael Glucksmann, Siegfried Muresan, Inma Rodríguez-Piñero and Daniel Freund.