Vox Populi: Marcela Peknikova from Prague, Czech Republic
1. What are your expectations/hopes from these elections?
I hope for an increased interest of my democratically thinking co-citizens and for a higher participation rate vs the 18% in 2014. It is super critical that we not only go to vote but vote for Europe. Europe needs us in this time of a cyber war, Russian propaganda and sustained efforts of nationalists, populists and political entrepreneurs of different kinds to weaken the European structures, to undermine values we share, to break the bonds we have built in the past 15 years. My expectations from the MEP candidates are that they run decent and comprehensive campaigns to make people understand their agendas and programs and, finally, I expect people to vote wisely while applying critical thinking. I deeply hope people will say no to nationalism and reject the xenophobic forces who will want to sneak in to the European Parliament and work on decomposing it from the inside. We have to stop this! The responsibility is ours.
2. Do you/people in your member state still have faith in the EU to deliver?
As the latest sociological studies have shown, many Czechs are indifferent about the EU, they simply don’t care to understand its concept besides the economic benefits stemming from it which they take for granted. People don’t seem to think about a need to protect what we’ve got because they don’t see the danger coming from the outside. And then there are euro-sceptics who are vocal about EU not delivering. But that does not seem to be the main issue in the Czech Republic any longer. In terms of the new generation, it is relieving to see that young people are more pro-European.
As for me personally, I know EU is not perfect and can certainly be improved. But I love it as it is the only home I have. And I want to take my share of responsibility in making it better. Now it is the time to do it. To take the responsibility and vote for Europe. I wish us for us to live in a freedom and democracy. I am sure this is what most of Czechs wish for too except that many of them have become targets of those political forces that use fear as a tool to manipulate them towards nationalistic moods. I believe that only together we are strong, not only economically, but mainly in terms of sustaining peace, security and democracy in our country. Alone we would be again an easy target for the more powerful and aggressive ones.
3. Will you be voting? If so, who for (if you are willing to say)?
I will definitely be voting. It will be one of the pro-European democratic parties. Names of the particular MEP candidates will decide to a great extent on who gets my vote. I am looking for respected and honest men and women with clear agenda and who are likely to deliver on their promises.
4. Tell us some very brief persona/biographical details about yourself?
Mother & wife, activist, HR professional. Living in Prague. Lived and worked abroad, in Switzerland (2012-2014) and Belgium (2014-2016). Mainly involved in private sector professionally but active in the public sphere and non-profit sector as well. Politically a liberal democrat and EU optimist. In general, life and freedom lover and human rights defender.
