The European Parliament on Tuesday signed a deal with the International Federation of Professional Footballers to encourage citizens to vote in this year’s EU elections, amid fears of a high turnout in favour of populist and eurosceptic parties.
Parliament President Antonio Tajani said in a statement that players were both citizens and professional athletes, but most of all they are role models.
“The 2019 European elections are the perfect occasion for football players to take the field and motivate Europeans to set the path for the European Union they want to live in,’’ Tajani added.
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Under the agreement, parliament will work with the footballers’ federation, which brings together all professional players, male and female, to create a network of players who will aim to motivate citizens to vote.
The campaign focuses on Italy, Spain, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, Cyprus, Sweden, Finland, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
Fears are rife in Brussels that the May elections could give a boost to populist, nationalist and eurosceptic parties.
They could threaten many of the EU’s long-standing priorities, by joining forces in parliament. (NAN)
