Eurobarometer: 20% of Slovaks Certainly Plan to Vote in EU Elections

Bratislava, April 25 (TASR) - Twenty percent of people in Slovakia certainly intend to vote in the European Parliament elections set to be held on May 25, TASR learnt on Thursday from the European Parliament's Spring 2019 Eurobarometer. Voter turnout in Slovakia in the last European elections in 2014 was 13.05 percent, which was the lowest figure in the European Union. The Eurobarometer results indicate an increase in interest in the elections, therefore. "Unlike in 2014, there is much greater interest in the European elections. We're very pleased with this increase," said Dionyz Hochel, who is currently in charge of managing the EP Office in Slovakia, at a press conference in Bratislava. Hochel added that 20 percent of people certainly intend to vote, while some 19 percent said that they will probably do so, meaning that probable interest in the elections stands at 39 percent. Hochel pointed out that the biggest level of interest in the EU elections is in the 25-39 and 55+ age groups. The elections are more interesting for men than women, and for university-educated people. Political scientist Pavol Babos from Comenius University in Bratislava thinks that the real voter turnout will probably be somewhat higher than in the past, but he wouldn't like to predict whether it will exceed the 20-percent threshold. "There are good reasons for the voter turnout to be higher. I don't know if it's these 39 percent, I wouldn't bet my salary on it, but there are a few reasons for a higher turnout," said Babos. am/df