This past Sunday we had the European Elections (for the European Parliament that no one really gets what it does) and the abstention level rose to 87% in Slovakia if I am not mistaken. In Portugal it was over 60%... People care less and less.
Wow, really impressive, 87%?! Are you serious? I really can't believe that 13% of the population was enough to elect representatives, I think that in these case they should do a new election or make a new system to represent the country...
I agree, but even if your suggestion makes sense I find difficult for any government to know what to do... What would they do, repeat the elections? What precedent would that open?
Yes in Slovakia the votes accounted to somewhere between 13% and 14% of the population who have the right to vote. I believe the average (in all EU countries) was something like 42%. I think it's mainly because of, well as you said, no one really knows what the European Parliament does. It, just like the rest of the EU, is full of bureaucracy and in the end it's very complicated how things get done. (if they get done) If I would have been at home I would have voted, but as I was abroad I didn't bother to go into a consulate to give my vote.
It always amazes me how low the percentage of voters is, especially given how the situation is in Europe, people should be doing their part to better the situation. Why do you think so many people don't go vote? Do they feel they just don't have valid candidates?
I don't think that the fact of being in Europe makes a difference or not, I think that people are sick and tired of the politicians because they just tell lies and then they can't be bothered to go vote for a bunch of liars.
So what is the solution? The only way to improve the situation is electing someone better than whoever is in power, even if it's just slightly better. You do this for a few elections in a row and you have someone acceptable in power, no?
I don't have a solution really, changing the system is something that requires will and time and I don't even see an alternative really. Shame on those guys though.