Ilion, a BELC partner municipality in Greece organised events to raise awareness of upcoming European elections

Under the auspices of the BELC network, Dimitrios Koukouvinos, BELC representative and chairman of Ilion Municipality, close to Athens, Greece, organised two successful events on 22 April, 2024. The aim was to raise awareness of the upcoming European elections and mobilise citizens to exercise their right to vote. 

In one event, students from Ilion’s high schools participated in a youth municipal council to address issues of European interest: implementing the ambitious European Green Deal; managing migration flows; and strengthening European democracy and defending the rule of law. A public debate on issues concerning the future of Europe was the second event in which five MEP candidates of the area participated.

Addressing participants about his optimism for the upcoming elections, the Vice-President of the European Commission for the Promotion of the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, sent a message and he rejected the dire predictions about Europe. He stated, “I believe that the European elections will be another piece in this beautiful mosaic of European democracy, in which all European citizens freely shape together our future.”

Mayor of Ilion, Andriana Alevizou, stressed that there must be closer cooperation between European institutions and local authorities in order to improve citizens’ daily lives, noting: "The European Union is one of the most important pillars of modern society. I firmly believe that the debate initiated during this forum can contribute new ideas and proposals for the future of Europe and local communities."

Local councillor Dimitrios Koukouvinos added: "Extroversion is a strategic choice for our municipality. We participate in various flagship European initiatives, demonstrating our long-standing commitment to European values. We are convinced that through cooperation and the exchange of good practices, we can build Europe with citizens and make a difference in their daily lives."