Lefteris - Foivos Vassilopoulos is the first Erasmus student to have stood for 4 months as a candidate for the European Parliament in a Member State other than his own. Lefteris is a 22 year old Greek who explained to us why he decided to stand as a candidate in France (especially in the Volt party): “the minimum age limit in France to run for the elections is 18 years, while in Greece it is 25 years” he said. It took him two months to receive the final “yes” to the question of whether he could stand as a candidate in a Member State other than his own. European law was unclear in this area: there was the condition that, in order to be able to stand as a candidate in another Member State, one would have to be eligible in their own country. In the end, Lefteris found that this asterisk did not refer to the age criterion but to any criminal matters.
Unfortunately, in the ranking of Volt’s political formation, Lefteris came 15th with the top 13 being accepted as candidates, and therefore will not be a candidate. It turned out, however, that it was an unprecedented idea for a young Erasmus student to run for elections in another state, as he was not eligible in his own state.
He began by sending emails to town halls and regions and receiving initially negative replies: “You do not have the right to stand as a candidate in France either”. He was not disappointed until he heard the big “yes”. Lefteris’ case paved the way for the right for everyone to stand as a candidate not only in their own county but throughout the EU. Now he continues in Volt as young Erasmus ambassador and, mainly, he fights for common political rights across the EU.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THE REPRESENTATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE EU POLITICAL LIFE?
Clearly many steps can be taken. I actively see that we want to be represented and to have a stronger voice, throughout Europe. This can be done practically, in the first instance and on the occasion of the European elections, by removing obstacles and giving young people more opportunities. At least, young people need to have the same rights everywhere in Europe. For example, Greece and Italy have the highest age limit for standing in European elections (25 years). In my opinion, common age limits should be applied throughout the EU: voting at 16 - something we already see in some countries, e.g. Germany, Malta etc- and standing as a candidate at 18, as is the case in the majority of European countries. This could be the path to talk about a Europe of a common speed, especially in political rights.
Beyond this right, comes Erasmus. Personally I would say that, the fact that I went to France and participated in the process of the European elections in France and indirectly in the whole of Europe, demonstrates a participatory European level. Erasmus can bind European identity and European active citizenship, and offer to us many other possibilities, now and in the future, but it needs to be strengthened as it remains inaccessible to a large part of citizens.
ERASMUS WAS ONE OF THE ELEMENTS THAT INSPIRED YOU AND PUSHED YOU TOWARDS YOUR DECISION TO PURSUE YOUR CANDIDACY. WHAT OTHER ELEMENTS WORKED TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN THAT DIRECTION, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE?
I was certainly motivated by the fact that in my country I did not have the right to stand as a candidate. The age criterion was a challenge because it also gives a symbolic message that can be felt by a young person, for example in Italy. The initial reflection was simple: “I wonder what will happen if I stand in the European elections in France”. I saw that the right to stand as a candidate starts at 25 years in Greece and it seemed particularly disproportionate. The idea started in November, but the final yes from the local authorities came in January, which is when I joined Volt’s list. I think France is one of the biggest political scenes in Europe and it was relatively late to start campaigning just six months before the election. In fact, I was also motivated by Erasmus, I saw the support of my friends in France and I realized that Europe is not just a geographical designation but a whole concept of values; it should be an inclusive and humanitarian construction, with citizen participation, social welfare, solidarity.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAIN CHALLENGES RELATED TO EU POLITICS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE?
There are many challenges. Primarily, in terms of their participation, there is often no connection, no link to politics. There is no sense that the young person’s point of view can be heard and taken into account. What I have noticed in the debates I have participated in so far is that I am the youngest; everyone is ten to forty years older. That is certainly a dark spot. But the fact that I have been able to participate in such political debates with MEP candidates, even from major parties, means that other young people can do it as well, there is hope and will. But in order to open up this path even more, we need more action, more encouragement. After all, we live here together, we find solutions together. Erasmus shows this close coexistence. We must look at the dark spots with a spirit of optimism and collective effort. It is very important to encourage political dialogue at supranational level.
WHICH EUROPEAN POLICIES WOULD YOU PRIORITISE IN A SCENARIO OF YOUR POLITICAL TERM AS A MEP? WHERE WOULD YOUR VISION FOCUS?
I would primarily focus on increasing the voice of young people and strengthening Erasmus. Next, I would focus on environmental policy and, finally, on transparency in the participation of citizens in political life. Central to my vision is the Greek “λόγον διδόναι”, which means being transparent, informing and being accountable as a representative of citizens. In reality there is a big gap between citizens and European politics. Especially today, transparency is not given. I also believe very much in the European Citizens’ Initiative, but also in strengthening the European Parliament, which is a directly elected body of the EU, hoping to be given the power to propose legislation. In the end of the day, we need to move on both sides: to make the citizen more active, and to make politics more accessible at the same time.
In summary, the key points are that a young Erasmus student can now stand as a candidate in a different Member State, which demonstrates the need to focus on what unites us. The coming rise of the far right is a problem; there is a danger that we are heading towards a Europe of very different values, a great depreciation of supranationalism and a focus on what divides us. Personally, I understood that the European interconnection is unique: we are 27 Member States under one umbrella, 27 different cultures, 27 different concepts that go beyond the nation/state. I therefore remain optimistic and send a message of encouragement for effort and initiative. I want to support young people, even if I am no longer a candidate for the European Parliament.
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