On 4 March, ALDE Party Secretary General Didrik de Schaetzen joined a panel debate on the impact of the upcoming European elections on students and young people.

The event in Brussels, named “Students emPower Education”, was organised by the European Students’ Union (ESU) in light of the Belgium Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

de Schaetzen said the EU should target a higher youth engagement in elections by focusing on the need to earn citizens’ trust.

“We need to ensure lifelong learning for young people and equip them with the right skills to thrive and have continuous opportunities regardless of where they are in Europe,” said de Schaetzen.

“We have a duty to build a whole, strong and peaceful Europe for our children and grandchildren and to foster youth civic engagement and political participation.

“We also need to reform the EU treaties to strengthen active participation and increase transparency and accountability for the EU to meet young people’s needs and key concerns.”

In particular, de Schaetzen highlighted tackling youth employment, ensuring affordabile housing and reducing cost of living as some of European liberals’ key priorities for young people in the next mandate.

Panel members included Secretary Generals from two other major European political parties in Benedetta De Marte (European Greens) and Giacomo Filibeck (Party of European Socialists).

The European elections will take place on 6-9 June across all European Union member states, as citizens will head to the polls to elect 720 MEPs.

Young people need the skills and opportunities to thrive, no matter where they are in Europe!

Our Secretary General @DdeSchaetzen joins today’s @ESUtwt debate on the impact of the EU elections for youth and students 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/gDWXY03czq

— ALDE Party (@ALDEParty) March 4, 2024