Down to the count

The stakes are high for research as Europe goes to the polls

What happens at polling stations around Europe over the next few days will determine the shape of the EU’s policymaking institutions for the next five years—and the stakes for research are huge.

As balloting for the European Parliament got underway, the European University Association made a last-minute plea for universities to encourage staff and students to vote. Turnouts in such elections tend to be low, belying their significance in determining EU policy.