A special press event with Antonio TAJANI, EP President, takes place in the EP in Brussels, concerning the next European elections, taking place 23-26 May 2019. Antonio TAJANI, EP President, marks the start of the 365-day countdown to the next European elections, taking place 23-26 May 2019, and comment on the latest Eurobarometer opinion polls released the same day.

Brussels

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

seminar

2019 European elections (T)

European Elections 2019: One year to go: extracts from the press seminar with Antonio TAJANI, EP President

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/19838152/I155621Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Arrival of EP President Antonio TAJANI and Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, EP Director General of Communication

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, <p>In a year, from 23 to 26 May 2019, the future of Europe will be in the hands of some 450 million European citizens from 27 countries. They will elect new members of the European Parliament and decide who should lead the European Commission. The year remaining before the elections is fundamental to continue the effort to show European citizens that the EU contributes in many ways to their welfare and protection. The European Parliament will do its best through its legislative work and communication activities, but it is a collective task, which also falls to European and national political parties, organized civil society and the media.</p>

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, For the first time since 2007, 60% of citizens are convinced that their country's membership of the European Union is a good thing and 67% believe that their country has benefited from this membership, the highest percentage high recorded since 1983.

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, By May 2019, no one should ignore either the date of the elections, nor the possible choices and what that means for the type of European Parliament that will emerge from the elections. May 2019 will be a decisive moment for the EU. It's time to get up and make his voice heard. I am fully committed to defending the legacy and achievements of the EU, as well as the work of this Parliament, which examines and adopts laws and policies that can break down barriers and bring real benefits. You, as media, can not remain silent and disengaged, whatever your opinions.

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, the situation is really dangerous which respects to immigration; there wasn't solidarity shown by the EU to Italy, nor to other countries such as Greece, Malta or even Spain, the Southern countries that are on the front-line when it comes to this problem. Eu commitment and solidarity came too late and people are very unhappy about what Europe has done in this.