E&M: Ever since the first direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979, turnout has dropped continuously. According to the most recent Eurobarometer poll on the topic of the European elections, it is primarily those under 24 years of age who have no interest in the elections. What are you doing to mobilise these voters?

Hans-Gert Pöttering: Well, of course that's only possible in conjunction with the media. And by having discussions like this one. And by running commercials on TV, by inviting young people to our events, and obviously also by using the internet - something which the parties will be doing during these European elections much more than they have in the past.

E&M: With which particular issues is your party attempting to mobilise young people?

Pöttering: One of them is obviously the general issue of peace in Europe. Historically it is a completely new experience for the nations of Europe to live together in peace as they are today. A further issue is the whole question of protecting the environment and the climate. This year in December we will have the big UN conference on climate change. We as the European Parliament have developed a plan that will be a top priority. Then the questions of economic collaboration and, of course, the financial challenges. In the case of young people it is obviously especially important that they are made aware of the opportunities that the European Union offers them through funding programmes such as Erasmus.

E&M: The issues of peace, environment and climate were actually on your agenda in the previous election, and in spite of this, only a small proportion of people are prepared to vote. How are you trying to get over this hurdle?

Pöttering: By - of course, it's impossible to force people - but by trying to approach people through the media and obviously by meeting people personally, and for that reason it is important that the media also engages with the European election. We cannot do it on our own. Politicians at all levels must also contribute their share, as must all organisations with social aims, and it would be good if our party's youth organisations would also make more effort in this area.

E&M: What's more, according to the poll of the Eurobarometer, 68% of those asked said they would not vote in the election because they believe that their vote will not change anything. What would you say to such people?

Pöttering: That's obviously an error of judgement, because European politics in general and the European Parliament in particular are becoming increasingly significant. The European Parliament is now a legislator, along with the Council of Ministers, in 75% of European legislation. With the Lisbon Treaty we will extend our co-decision powers as a legislator to almost 100%, so that no area of European legislation will be outside the influence of the European Parliament any more. And in precisely this context the approach taken and the priorities chosen are of great significance. So young people really ought to look at what the issues of the future will be, which issues are important for the younger generation, and according to that, they can then decide whether to vote for party A, B, C or D.

E&M: What makes this election different from the others before it?

Pöttering: Well, I have had the privilege of being a member of the European Parliament since the first direct ballot in 1979. In 1979 the European Parliament had no legislative capacity. And now we are there, in the position I have just described. We have come a long way, but we have not yet reached the finishing line. And that is why it is now important to make the European Parliament even stronger than it already is, and that is the task for the next period of office. It is also important that the European Parliament actively contributes to overcoming the big economic and financial problems.

E&M: How are you going to help there, specifically?

Pöttering: The European Parliament is a legislator. If I come now to legislation, to banking supervision, then these are questions that will be decided by the European Parliament - important questions for the future, and for the younger generation especially. There's the question of whether we will go into large amounts of debt and burden the future of young people in doing so, or whether we will follow a responsible policy of stability. That's an important political consideration which we'll be dealing with. We want to secure the future by making sure we don't place too much of a burden on people today.

E&M: Banking supervision is one thing. Where else will the European Parliament play an important role?

Pöttering: The whole of economic development, beginning with the areas in which we can influence it. Also the question of whether we are going to keep burdening the younger generation with new debts, with new schemes, or create a political environment which makes it possible for the economy and the people to develop. These are important questions, in which the Parliament contributes to the debate, but also to the decision itself.

E&M: Where do you see the challenges in this election?

Pöttering: Every election is obviously very important. It continues to be important that the countries which joined the EU in 2004 and then Romania which joined on 1st January 2007, that these countries, which have communism behind them, which are now free countries, are properly integrated into the EU. And the point now is to strengthen the EU from within, with its 27 States and 500 million people, and to make this strength clear from the outside.

E&M: These were supposed to be the first elections after the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon. Now Ireland has rejected the treaty. Where do you see a way out of this crisis?

Pöttering: A further referendum in Ireland is expected in October, and for this referendum, concessions will be made to Ireland. Firstly, Ireland will be able to keep exercising its neutral role in external, security and defence policy. There are also assurances that Ireland will retain its legislation in sociopolitical issues, for example the protection of unborn life, and, especially important for Ireland, that Ireland will keep its Irish commissioner, because this is apparently particularly important for the Irish people. Our aim is that the Treaty of Lisbon will come into effect on January 1st 2010.

E&M: First the constitutional treaty was rejected, and then a reformed treaty was tried, and it was rejected again. What would you say to the suggestion that people are not ready, and that they do not actually want the treaty?

Pöttering: I don't think one can be so general about it. There was also a referendum in Spain, there was a referendum in Luxemburg, both were positive, so I would not support the claim that people are against it. What is necessary, and what we must do, is to intensify discussions with citizens.

E&M: How do you see the future of the European Parliament? Which further capacities would you like to acquire?

Pöttering: With the Treaty of Lisbon we have now - I believe - arrived at a development in constitutional policy that will last for many years, which ensures a strong Parliament, which gives the European Commission a strong role and also gives the Council of Ministers its task as a legislator with the European Parliament and as an advisory institution. With the treaty, the basis for development in the constitutional policy of the European Union is firmly established, and the European Parliament will contribute to the concrete legislative power, both in the decision-making process within the EU and externally, so that in addition to its legislative powers, the political role of the European Parliament will become apparent. We will continue to strengthen this role, because it this the institution which is directly elected by the citizens.

E&M: One last question: you are standing for election for the 7th time. Have you developed any rituals for election day?

Pöttering: I will probably be here in Berlin on the evening of the election answering the questions of the media, and I hope that we have a good turnout.

E&M: Do you have any wishes for the outcome?

Pöttering: Of course, I have two wishes. The first is for a better turnout than last time, and the second, of course, is that my own party, the CDU in Germany, gets a good result.

E&M: And could you speculate as to the percentage for the election turnout?

Pöttering: My wishes in that respect are limitless.

E&M: Thank you very much for your time.

Hans-Gert Pöttering was interviewed by Kristin Kruthaup on 03/03/2009.