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President Ilves on announcing the elections to the European Parliament open: at these elections we will elect the future of Europe

23.02.2014

Today, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves announced the elections to the European Parliament. The election date is Sunday, 25 May. People can take part in advance polls before the date. Six members will be elected to the European Parliament from Estonia.

"I am addressing the electorate with the plea to take part in the elections to the European Parliament. The future of the European Union is the future of us," President Ilves told.

"I also repeat – the elections to the European Parliament also mean elections that will determine the future of the Europe and debate concerning European Union issues. These elections do not represent a springboard for obtaining access to local politics or maintaining one's position there or just to gain a place on the gravy train," the Head of State emphasised. "I am inviting the electorate to judge, demandingly, what the delegates have done, to date, in the European Parliament, how have they explained the work they do and then ask, as demandingly, what the candidates plan to do in the new parliament."

President Ilves hopes that none of the candidates will give up their position when elected.

"The democratic idea of the open list of candidates is to allow the people to decide who will represent the Estonian electorate in the European Parliament. In a political party, a seat in the Parliament will be available for those who obtain the largest number of votes. Easy abandoning of the position entrusted to you by the people is not a sign of respect for your electorate," the Head of State emphasised.

"I am convinced that there will be two important pre-requisites for increasing the welfare of Estonia, one being our own efficiency and the other is Estonia being a part of the European Union. Therefore, we need an open and bold exchange of opinions regarding the future of the European Union: how to enhance the competitive edge of Europe, relying upon the values of a state based on the rule or law, in global competition while protecting national languages and cultures," told President Ilves.

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