Statement by Anni PODIMATA (S&D, EL), EP Vice-President, she reacts to the European Elections 2014.

Brussels

statement

European election

2014 European elections (T)

election night 2014 (T)

PODIMATA, Anni (S&D, EL)

European Elections 2014: statement by Anni PODIMATA (S&D, EL), EP Vice-President

SOUNDBITE (English), Anni PODIMATA (S&amp;D, EL), EP Vice-President, " We cannot be happy with this rate of participation, although could be worse. I think that the fact that we are around the same as in the elections in 2009, again it's not something that satisfies but if we take into consideration that this vote was a very crucial vote, due to the crises and to the way they are the majority citizens has perceived the management of the crises in Europe that's why I'm saying It could have been worse.

SOUNDBITE (English), Anni PODIMATA (S&amp;D, EL), EP Vice-president,  It's a sign of alarm I think, as it is the rise of anti European or extreme right parties, that's very clear, I think that all of us, the new parliament, specially the new Council, the heads of countries and governments, have to listen very carefully to what the citizens are saying and proceed to the necessary responses to their concerns. I really believe that during the next couple of years we need to demonstrate to the European citizens that say or message but taking into consideration and we did what we have to do in order to convince them to regain their confidence and convince them that Europe, EU is an irreplaceable project within place mainly and specially in order to serve their priorities, their concerns, in order to secure a better future for them and for the next generations. This is our responsability