Between 4 and 7 June, 375 million citizens across 27 countries, from Helsinki to Lisbon, from Dublin to Vilnius, are called to the polls to elect the European Parliament. In a video message posted on his website, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, urges people to turn out and vote.

“Your vote matters. Because your choice will help shape the European Union's course of action for the next five years,” says Mr Barroso in the video message which can be found on his website.

The video is available in six languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian) on Mr Barroso’s website and on the European Commission’s audiovisual portal. The written version of the message is also available in the other 17 EU languages.

The Commission President says that although the Commission will continue to take the political initiative and make the necessary proposals to deliver concrete results for citizens, “it is the European Parliament that makes the laws, together with your national governments”. He goes on to say that it is the European Parliament that holds the other European Institutions to account.

“You must choose the members of Parliament that reflect your views on how to tackle the challenges we face, because what Europe does will affect you and your daily life", declares Barroso.

This video complements the many initiatives that the EU has been launched to encourage voting in European elections. The main novelty in this campaign is the use of social networks.