European Parliament’s moment: why this election matters more than ever

A Serbian-born US citizen who now lives in Germany has transatlantic advice for Americans and Europeans during the most eventful election year in history

[On the cusp of elections for the European Parliament, DemocracySOS welcomes guest author Daniela Vancic, who is the European Program Manager for Democracy International. She carries out DI’s advocacy campaigns for greater citizen participation at the EU level.]

The most consequential elections of the world’s greatest election year in history will, in fact, be the US elections this November. However, Americans should still be closely following what happens across the pond in the European Union – not only because the EU is the US’s biggest and closest ally, but also because we can see the EU election results this week as a warning ahead of the US elections in November.  

I was born in Serbia in 1991. The Balkan War had just begun. I was very lucky: my grandparents had already left communist Yugoslavia in the 1970s and emigrated to the United States. I grew up with them in Michigan. Fast forward many years, and I find myself back in Europe, where war again haunts our continent.

For the last seven years I have lived in Germany, and together with my colleagues at Democracy International I have been fighting tooth and nail for a stronger, citizens-centered European democracy. Yet, I am not an EU citizen. I won’t be able to vote in the European elections on June 6-9. I have to stand on the sidelines as a spectator when Europe's biggest democratic exercise rolls around every five years.

But my voice is not silent. The least I can do is share with you why I and my Democracy International colleagues believe this election is more important than ever. Seven years in Germany and two European election cycles have given me a profound admiration of Europe and a sentiment of belonging that is sometimes lost among Europeans themselves. Now is the time to rekindle that sense of pride for Europe.

Strength through peace, diversity, and democracy

Firstly, the European Union is the world’s most successful and ambitious peace project in modern history. As someone born in a war-ridden country, I understand that peace is the prerequisite for shared prosperity.

Secondly, Europe’s biggest strength is its diversity. If the US is a melting pot, then Europe is a patchwork quilt. Every piece of cloth, each with its own colour, texture, and pattern is woven together to create a beautiful, diverse tapestry - still leaving room for expansion. Europe is woven from the threads of the continent’s diverse cultures, languages, food, and traditions.

Thirdly, placing citizens at the heart of decision-making is what sets Europe apart from authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China. European democracy, founded on the bedrock of multi-party democracy, proportional representation and direct democracy (in the form of the European Citizens’ Initiative and European Citizens’ Panels at the EU level, and citizens’ assemblies and initiative and referendum within individual member states), is what makes Europe so unique.

Despite individual differences, Europeans are woven by the common thread of democracy in all its forms. This is what brings the European Union’s motto "United in diversity" to life.  

Europe is a quilt that is unfinished. On a continent which once suffered from the two bloodiest wars in history, and many smaller ones too, today it is a quilt that represents progress and unity, equality and diversity. It's a place where the historic blends seamlessly with the contemporary. And for hundreds of millions, it is a place of hope. For each one of us, Europe means something different.

These three focal points bring us together: Peace, diversity, and democracy.

But Europe's quilted patchwork is under threat. I’ve experienced firsthand the slow unraveling of democracy in Europe’s backyard in Serbia and am uncomfortably close to the tragedy of war in Ukraine. I have also witnessed real threats against American democracy and civil rights. These serve as stark reminders of the fragility of our democratic systems.  Europe, too, is not immune to these dangers.  

In 2016, Brexit preceded the Trump election by 5 months. The EU elections this week, where the anti-democratic far-right expects to gain ground, again precede the US elections by 5 months. 2016 caught us off guard, but this year, we need to keep a close eye on these worldwide trends, we need to let people know what’s at stake, and we need to be ready.

Europe stands as a beacon of hope in an increasingly dangerous world. For me, returning to Europe is coming back to a peaceful, diverse, and democratic home. I hope we can keep the quilt of Europe stitched together for generations to come.

Daniela Vancic @DanielaVancic