FIFPRO: Finnish players promoting European elections

The Football Players Association of Finland is encouraging citizens to vote in the European Parliament elections.

Players in Finland are raising awareness of this year’s European Parliament elections. “To us, democracy is very important,” said Panu Autio, the executive director of the Finnish professional football players association JPY. “We believe in democracy.”

From 6 to 9 June, European Union citizens can vote for the European Parliament to elect a total of 720 members for a five-year term. In Finland, citizens are allowed to vote on 9 June.

- It is a fact that in our country the turnout for the European elections is generally lower than national elections, said Autio.

Five years ago, 40.8 percent of Finnish citizens voted, while in January this year, almost 68 percent of voters turned up for the presidential elections.  

The player union is collaborating with the European Commission’s office in Finland, which reached out to the JPY for support.

- We have created videos with the captains of the men’s and women’s national teams and national futsal teams. And during our general assembly in March, we had a special video booth where players could also record a video message, Autio said.

Read the story:
https://fifpro.org/en/who-we-are/fifpro-members/finnish-players-promoting-european-elections-we-have-an-opportunity-to-make-a-difference