Dear all,

This time next week, Europe will go to the polls. And it is not an exaggeration to say that the EU’s future hangs in the balance. According to the headlines, populism and nationalism are on the rise, and for many this is a sign that Europe’s citizens are losing faith in the ability of the Union to improve their lives.

Yet at the same time studies have shown that support for the EU is at its highest level in decades. Call me an idealist, but I don’t find it all that surprising: confronted with major challenges from combating climate change to safeguarding prosperity in a time of transformation, it makes sense that we recognise the benefits of working together across borders with others who share our values. For the technology industries we represent, European collaboration is the only way forward: from building the Single Market to championing global trade, from support for innovation to ambitious action to accelerate the energy transition - our industries benefit immeasurably from a strong EU, helping them to shape a future that’s good for all Europe’s citizens.

Orgalim’s vision for a renewed Europe puts forward many ways the EU and our industries can work together to build on this over the next decade. But this vision won’t materialise without a fundamental commitment to the European project from politicians and citizens in the Member States. This is why we, together with many of our member associations, have been supporting the drive to ‘get out the vote’ next week - whether it's our secretariat spreading the word on Twitter, or our colleagues' involvement in the European Young Professionals Network campaign. Now more than ever, the often silent majority who stand behind the EU need to make our voices heard.

Beyond election day, there will be plenty to do ahead of the new Parliament taking office and with a new Commission to be appointed. We have been promoting the need to work together more closely than ever to show how the EU can create win-wins for European business and society alike: whether calling on the European Council to lead the global response to climate change ahead of the Sibiu summit, contributing to the debate on industry’s role in the Future of Europe, or stepping up our engagement with key EU institutional stakeholders here in Brussels. Plus, our recently published Annual Report has taken stock of how our work over the last year has set a solid foundation for shaping a forward-looking European framework - scroll down for all the details.

Best regards,