In a reality where democracy is becoming increasingly fragile, the European Parliament is making it easy for people to pitch in and help build an EU-wide community to empower people-to-people conversation in encouraging a more robust voter participation in European democracy, including voting in the European Elections.

The European Parliament's This Time I'm Voting campaign is not to advocate whom people should vote for - your vote is secret - but rather for: 

• the act of voting itself - in Malta almost 40% of young people did not vote last time
• the act of engaging in the democratic process- and in this way upholding the European Union itself
• and the act of doing so in a conscious and fully informed way - this time I am voting for... up to you!

 

The community in Malta is growing. Discussions are on every week, in secondary schools and higher education institutions with first-time voters,but also professionals, civil society and the public as a whole. Hundreds of people have signed up on www.diddarbasenivvota.eu or www.thistimeimvoting.eu from Malta, and a  strong core of Maltese supportershave volunteered to help spread the message in their own way and through their own networks.

The movement and the platform "this time I'm voting" has also been generating thought and discussion about the most important issues that European citizens wish to have at the forefront of the EU's priorities in the next five years.

For the Maltese, our rights, the future of Europe and our planet are the top issues.

Here are some quotes from those who have pledged to be voting for in the next round of elections:

"This time I'm voting because we are all aware of the situation around us. Complaining and doing nothing is a waste of time." Josef Cutajar

"This time I'm going to vote for Europe, for respect and dignity for everyone, for every citizen, everyone who lives here. I wish to see people's humanity respected".  Alexander Hili

"This year I'm voting for LGBTQ rights. It's a topic that's very near to my heart".  (I'm afraid we have no name for this woman, do you know her?)

If you too, would like to be part of this ever-growing community, go to https://thistimeimvoting.eu and register to be part of those who are not just hoping for a better future but taking responsibility to make it happen!