Vox Populi: Nataša Pichler-Milanovič from Ljubljana, Slovenia

1. What are your expectations/hopes from these elections?

I do not have much expectations. I would like if more young people with traditional moral values stand out at this year European elections. But this is not the real expectation. The EU institutions as our national ones really need to change drastically and give examples to the people that democracy and values are worth living for a better life and a just and democratic Europe. I sincerely hope that the next elections and 2019-2024 MEPs will bring some positive change at the governance level for the benefit of all European citizens, and EU at the global stage.

2. Do you/people in your member state still have faith in the EU to deliver?

This is difficult to say. Many people benefited from the EU membership: travelling and working with no visas, student exchange through Erasmus + and other education programmes, participation in European research projects, absorption of EU funds, etc. But corruption and negative selection are somehow destroying the faith in EU institutions and the idea of a united and fair Europe. The MEP should represent the people not just the political parties or themselves.

3. Will you be voting? If so, who for (if you are willing to say)?

Yes I will vote, as usual, for the liberal or social democratic candidate. But I do not know as yet who will be on the lists. I will most probably decide just before the election day on 26th May 2019.

4. Tell us some very brief persona/biographical details about yourself?

I am a researcher and consultant in urban and regional planning and development with 30 years of experience in participation in different projects, including more than 20 European projects from different programmes: FP, URBACT, ESPON, INTERREG, etc. I have lived, studied and worked in different countries working at universities and research institutes such as University of Belgrade, University of Ljubljana, London School of Economics and Political Studies (LSE), School of Slavonic and East European Studies (University of London), United Nations University (Tokyo).