On 27 February, 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.

The partnership aims to deepen the cooperation between the two institutions to promote European elections, boost voter turnout – especially among non-voters and first-time voters – and counter information manipulation.

Among other measures, the institutions agreed to step up their cooperation in communicating about the elections, 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 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 voters to increase turnout. The EESC and the European Parliament are partners and allies.'

The Memorandum outlines specific areas where cooperation between the EESC and the European Parliament should be continued and strengthened in the run-up to the 2024 European elections. (kn/ll)