When most people think about France, Germany , Spain, Italy or most parts of eastern Europe at this time of year, it is generally concerning their summer holidays, but the concept of Europe will loom larger next week because of the upcoming elections.

These will be a test not only of the candidates’ European policies and priorities, but also of democracy itself. The revelations about Westminster MPs’ expenses in the past few weeks have been disturbing, and some of the reported excesses may bring politics itself into disrepute.

This would be wrong, and impractical. Democracy has been hard-won by previous generations, and the best way to protect it is for people to exercise their rights and to make sure they use their vote. Many of the European issues are different to those at Westminster, but they are of great importance nevertheless.

They range from human rights to agriculture and fisheries, and these have an important bearing

on life in these islands. Voters north and south will have plenty of choice, and the outcome could have important repercussions for the main parties in both jurisdictions. In Dublin the governing Fianna Fail party, which is blamed for much of the financial problems across the border, is likely to receive a serious set-back, just as Labour will almost certainly suffer in the United Kingdom.

In Northern Ireland, voters have a clear choice between traditional unionism and nationalism, as well as the well-established Alliance Party and smaller groupings like the Greens.

The unionists are facing a three-way choice, and it will be important for each party to do as well as it can. The Ulster Unionists will be testing, for the first time, their restored link with the Conservatives which they foolishly broke off during the Troubles.

There will also be a sharp contest between the DUP and its erstwhile representative Jim Allister, who is hoping to attract a wide traditional vote which is opposed to the Good Friday Agreement.

The republicans also face a clear choice between Sinn Fein, which is anxious to maintain and possibly increase its support following its historic decision to share power at Stormont, and the SDLP, which has been trying to demonstrate a new urgency and practicality in making power-sharing work.

Voters will, of course, make up their own minds. The results will be taken not only as a reflection upon the issues in Europe, but also as an indication of the current political climate in Northern Ireland.

This is why it is important for everyone to vote, and it would be wrong for people to stay at home either because of apathy, or as a protest about the political process. Whatever the political views of the broad range of candidates, they have worked hard to canvass support, and have a right to be taken seriously by the electorate.

Sadly, many people still take democracy for granted, but it remains an important freedom in a world where millions of people do not have a choice about the way they are governed. It is crucial, therefore, that the voters of this Province will keep their part of the bargain next week, and go out and vote in large numbers.