Europe has voted
Between 4th and 7th June Europeans cast their votes for a new Parliament. As predicted the overall turnout was low. In many countries right-wing parties made considerable gains while campaigning had been dominated by national issues.
Photo: AP / Alexandra Mlejnkova
General appraisal of the election results
Dnevnik - Bulgaria | Friday, 12. June 2009
The European elections in Bulgaria were marred by the buying and manipulation of votes by economic interest groups. A similar scenario is expected in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The daily Dnevnik comments: » more
The European elections in Bulgaria were marred by the buying and manipulation of votes by economic interest groups. A similar scenario is expected in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The daily Dnevnik comments: "Nineteen years after the first multi-party elections we are once again running the risk that citizens lose the free vote. Huge organisational and financial resources are being used to exert increasing influence on controlled elections. The upcoming elections are decisive, not just for the preservation of the status quo but also for the conservation of the party structures that the perestroika [restructuring] of the totalitarian regime created. … Key political players from those times are prepared to go to any lengths to ensure their own survival by pretending we live in a representative democracy, free market economy and constitutional state."
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All available articles from » Antony Todorov
168 óra - Hungary | Friday, 12. June 2009
Left-wing publicist Tamás Mészáros comments in the left-liberal weekly 168 Óra on the results of the European elections in Hungary: » more
Left-wing publicist Tamás Mészáros comments in the left-liberal weekly 168 Óra on the results of the European elections in Hungary: "People weren't surprised by the dramatic but nevertheless predictable defeat of the governing socialists, nor by the rise of the extreme right which has been in the offing for some time now, nor by the clear success of the conservative opposition party Fidesz. What was far more surprising was the number of votes the extreme right Jobbik party was able to gather [almost 15%], and the accompanying massive advance of the far right in Hungary. Or to put it differently: the alarming extent to which racist, anti-Semitic Hungarianism has gained a foothold. Another surprise was the catastrophic results of the Free Democrats [just under 2%], which pretty much signals the demise of liberalism in Hungary. ... These two facts have shaken Hungarian democracy to the core. ... The immune system of Hungarian society is disgracefully weak. As the European elections show, those in the centre are even ready to join hands with the extreme right."
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All available articles from » Tamás Mészáros
România Liberă - Romania | Thursday, 11. June 2009
The daily Romania Libera comments on the increased share of the vote that went to the Greens in France and Belgium in the European elections: » more
The daily Romania Libera comments on the increased share of the vote that went to the Greens in France and Belgium in the European elections: "Against the backdrop of the economic crisis they have presented new ideas and a solid leftist programme. The coherence of their political discourse gained them a good share of the voters who traditionally vote for the socialists, and in the case of France, for those small parties that make French political life so exotic: Maoists, Trotzkyists, anarchist trade unionists. In Romania it hasn't even sunk in that you can base a political programme on ecological ideas. Environmentalist party lists aren't taken seriously despite the long series of ecological disasters that communism left behind. Somehow it's as if the discourse of the Greens were trivial and their sole mission was to ensure we don't throw away any more cigarette butts or greasy packaging on the street."
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All available articles from » Dan Alexe
Phileleftheros - Cyprus | Wednesday, 10. June 2009
The growing strength of right-wing forces in Europe is a clear rejection of a full integration of Turkey into the European Union, writes the Cypriot daily Phileleftheros: » more
The growing strength of right-wing forces in Europe is a clear rejection of a full integration of Turkey into the European Union, writes the Cypriot daily Phileleftheros: "Irrespective of how the EU moves forward and whether the revision of the conditions for Turkey [as regards EU membership] is put on the agenda or not, it's clear that this development must give us [Greek Cypriots] food for thought. After all, the whole [Greek-Turkish] scenario would change if Turkey altered its direction either voluntarily or under duress. … The special relations [favoured by conservative European forces] will do neither Cyprus nor Greece any good because they would give Turkey all the benefits without any of the obligations. … We must therefore be prepared to be confronted with such a situation. Even if the conditions for special relations between Turkey and the EU are extended we will have the right to a say and to play a role."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » EU neighbourhood policy, » United Kingdom, » Cyprus, » Europe, » Turkey
L'Est Républicain - France | Wednesday, 10. June 2009
The regional newspaper L'Est Republicain analyses the success of the Greens in the European elections: » more
The regional newspaper L'Est Republicain analyses the success of the Greens in the European elections: "Green is a colour that gives strong coverage, as painters say. Moreover it can be matched to any background and has a good composition. … The triumphal election results of Europe's green party lists … have made it clear that they are once again in fashion. Against all expectations the vote has shown that the environmental crisis is still a source of concern even during the economic crisis. And that the environment remains one of the top priorities. … The current [French] president [Nicolas Sarkozy] … has made environmental protection one of the central columns of his policies. This pretty opportunism must be welcomed: two days after the green breakthrough he was already on the scene promising that for every euro spent on nuclear power a euro will be spent on renewable energies. With this method he is betting on two horses at the same time and pampering an electorate that may be useful later on."
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All available articles from » Michel Vagner
Público - Spain | Wednesday, 10. June 2009
In the Spanish daily Público Juan Varela compares the rise of Internet movements like the Pirate Party with the 1980s formation of the Green movement, which called for more ecology, social justice, participative democracy and an end to violence: » more
In the Spanish daily Público Juan Varela compares the rise of Internet movements like the Pirate Party with the 1980s formation of the Green movement, which called for more ecology, social justice, participative democracy and an end to violence: "Many of these [ideals] tally with the ideas of many Internet activists who call for a P2P [peer-to-peer] economy: more civil rights and resistance to the Net 2.0 being controlled by large companies and governments. A new policy for the 3.0 community with digital rights (access, private sphere, content) where cyberspace constitutes an interface for control of powers thanks to its tools for participation and where it is easy to join forces and fight for concrete political goals. The Net is a new space in which the principles of freedom, participation and shared resources create a new culture, a different economy and a new type of politics which is beginning to rebel against the deafness of the traditional parties."
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All available articles from » Juan Varela
Népszabadság - Hungary | Wednesday, 10. June 2009
The left-liberal daily Népszabadság writes that the national conservative party Fidesz, the strongest Hungarian party in the European elections, is coming under increasing pressure from the right-wing extremist party Jobbik: » more
The left-liberal daily Népszabadság writes that the national conservative party Fidesz, the strongest Hungarian party in the European elections, is coming under increasing pressure from the right-wing extremist party Jobbik: "It's no coincidence that after the terrible death of a girl, which was blamed on the Roma without a scrap of evidence, [Viktor Orbán] said that enough was enough (without referring at all to the fact that the Roma had been accused without reason - on the contrary). It's also no coincidence that much of Orbán's time during the European elections went into neutralising Jobbik and proclaiming the need for a unified Right. All in vain. ... Jobbik has already labelled Fidesz its 'adversary'. The right-wing extremist party doesn't just want to put pressure on the Fidesz camp, it wants to hack off a piece for itself. Fidesz' room for manoeuvre has been visibly restricted."
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All available articles from » Ákos Tóth
To Vima Online - Greece | Wednesday, 10. June 2009
American journalist Anne Applebaum comments on the results of the European elections: » more
American journalist Anne Applebaum comments on the results of the European elections: "We've been waiting and waiting, but the widely predicted European backlash - against capitalism, against free markets, against the right - has not come. There are no demands for Marxist revolution, no calls for nationalization of industry, not even a European campaign for what the Obama administration calls 'stimulus' - a policy more colloquially known as 'massive government spending.' ... On the contrary: In last weekend's European parliamentary elections, capitalism triumphed, at least in its mushy European form. Admittedly, these European polls are a peculiar species of election. Far fewer people vote in them than vote in national elections, and those who do cast ballots are far vaguer about what their deputies, once elected to the European legislature, actually do. The European parliament's gradual accumulation of real power seems to have had no effect whatsoever on its popular image, which is still that of a do-nothing institution composed of clapped-out politicians who cost everybody a fortune in airplane tickets."
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All available articles from » Anne Applebaum
Polska - Poland | Tuesday, 9. June 2009
The elections to the European Parliament made many things clearer, writes Agaton Koziński in the daily Polska: » more
The elections to the European Parliament made many things clearer, writes Agaton Koziński in the daily Polska: "The advantage of elections is that they give a clear answer to questions. The results announced on Sunday, for example, showed what condition Europe's Left is in: abominable. They also showed that the [anti-European party] Libertas has failed to catch the attention of the Eurosceptics with its programme, despite its strident campaign. They have finally shown that less and less people are interested in the European Parliament, because in the entire history of these elections voter turnout has never been this low."
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All available articles from » Agaton Koziński
Ta Nea - Greece | Tuesday, 9. June 2009
As opposed to in most EU states the Socialists have had a good showing in Greece. The daily Ta Nea explains the Greek paradox: » more
As opposed to in most EU states the Socialists have had a good showing in Greece. The daily Ta Nea explains the Greek paradox: "In defeating [the ruling conservative party] Nea Demokratia, the Greek Socialists constituted an exception in the European elections. In most countries the centre-right parties took the day. The Greek paradox no doubt has to do with the government's all-time disastrous performance in all areas, particularly its disappointing economic policy and its inability to deal with scandals. But it also has to do with the strengthening of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), which managed to overcome its introversion and ... is slowly regaining voter confidence. Nevertheless the tendency we've seen in the rest of Europe is also taking hold in Greece, and we must start asking ourselves why."
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Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland | Monday, 8. June 2009
Gerardo Morina comments in the liberal Swiss daily Corriere del Ticino on voters' clear disinterest in Europe, identifying a tendency among Europeans to think along national lines: » more
Gerardo Morina comments in the liberal Swiss daily Corriere del Ticino on voters' clear disinterest in Europe, identifying a tendency among Europeans to think along national lines: "Once more voters were characterised by their low enthusiasm for European issues. ... This almost complete indifference not only corroborates a widespread chronic behaviour, it also results from three factors closely linked to the elections. The first is that these EU elections took place during the worst social and economic crisis of the post-war era. The second factor has to do with a perceived crisis of values, visions and leaders. The third factor is decisive however, and played the biggest role in these elections. Without exception, they were dominated by an overwhelming interest in the national dimension. In part this was because local elections were held concurrently with the EU elections in several countries, and overshadowed the significance of the EU institutions. If it becomes the norm to hold EU elections at the same time as local votes, the national votes cold well smother the European elections and have them all but disappear. If that happens, as also seems to be the case this time around, it means that ... the concurrence of the state as a political and geo-political entity and of the nation as a cultural or ethnic entity leaves no room for other horizons."
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All available articles from » Gerardo Morina
Dagens Nyheter - Sweden | Monday, 8. June 2009
In Sweden the biggest surprise in the European elections is that the Pirate Party was able to gain a foothold in the European Parliament. Its calls for free online copying and a fundamental reform in copyright law ensured it a strong performance, above all among young voters. The Stockholm daily Dagens Nyheter comments: » more
In Sweden the biggest surprise in the European elections is that the Pirate Party was able to gain a foothold in the European Parliament. Its calls for free online copying and a fundamental reform in copyright law ensured it a strong performance, above all among young voters. The Stockholm daily Dagens Nyheter comments: "The advance of the Pirate Party comes in the middle of the worst economic crisis in 70 years. … Its success derives from issues other than jobs and the economy. The Pirates are sailing on the wind of the fierce debate over supervisory laws and personal integrity, as well as the ruling on the file-sharing website Pirate Bay. The established parties have reacted far too late to people's concerns about the encroachment of the state on personal integrity. They are also at a loss to explain how modern copyright laws could be made compatible with the copying of data files on the Internet. "
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The weakness of the Left
La Voce - Italy | Wednesday, 10. June 2009
Writing in the independent liberal blog La Voce, Tito Boeri looks into the reasons for the Left's thrashing in the European elections: » more
Writing in the independent liberal blog La Voce, Tito Boeri looks into the reasons for the Left's thrashing in the European elections: "Put it down to the 26 million immigrants who have come to Europe in recent years. ... Recessions normally favour leftist parties. ... The current crisis, on the other hand, goes hand in hand with the strong electoral showings of right-wing and xenophobic movements across the continent and the crushing defeat for the very parties that had a hand in constructing the European welfare state. ... Instead of imitating their opponents, the Social Democrats should try to reform their social welfare programmes. ... That means tying eligibility for welfare to taxes and punishing abuse. ... Denmark and Sweden have taken the clearest steps in this direction. ... Can it be mere coincidence that the centre-left parties in both countries ... were the only ones not to suffer in the EU elections?"
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All available articles from » Tito Boeri
La Repubblica - Italy | Wednesday, 10. June 2009
Like many of its voters, the opposition Democratic Party (PD) in Italy feels like it's "in exile in its own land", writes Ilvo Diamanti in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica, commenting on the heavy losses suffered by the party in the regional and local elections held concurrently with the European elections. The party is besieged from two sides, Diamanti writes: » more
Like many of its voters, the opposition Democratic Party (PD) in Italy feels like it's "in exile in its own land", writes Ilvo Diamanti in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica, commenting on the heavy losses suffered by the party in the regional and local elections held concurrently with the European elections. The party is besieged from two sides, Diamanti writes: by the right-wing populist Lega Nord on the one hand, and the liberal IdV [Italy of Values] on the other: "The Lega is a territorial party [pursuing the federalist objective of giving more power to the regions], the IdV a party with no territory. ... Until yesterday [the Left] could pretty much mark out the red boundaries. Today these zones are pink. ... The Lega Nord has penetrated the territory of the Left with the language of fear and localism. ... [The PD] has lost its orientation. The IdV is snapping at its heels and its strongholds are being laid siege to ... by the Lega."
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All available articles from » Ilvo Diamanti
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 9. June 2009
Martin Weiss writes in the conservative daily Lidové Noviny that the European elections have shown up the weaknesses of the Left in the economic crisis: » more
Martin Weiss writes in the conservative daily Lidové Noviny that the European elections have shown up the weaknesses of the Left in the economic crisis: "This is a particularly interesting anomaly, because many people have tried to paint the recession as having definitively discredited Anglo-Saxon or neoliberal capitalism. Who knows why that made no difference on election day. Possibly the European social systems are so effective that they can fend off practically all of the negative consequences of the crisis on living standards. Maybe the voters noticed that the Left and the Right use rhetoric to mask how little their economic policies actually differ. Or it could be that the electorate felt that the Left has no better ideas about how to tackle the crisis than the Right. Everyone wants more regulation, but at the same time everyone is afraid to admit they haven't got a clue as to how to do it."
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All available articles from » Martin Weiss
Tribune de Genève - Switzerland | Tuesday, 9. June 2009
In the Swiss regional paper Tribune de Génève Jean-Noël Cuénod analyses the weaknesses of the social democratic parties following their poor showing in the European elections: » more
In the Swiss regional paper Tribune de Génève Jean-Noël Cuénod analyses the weaknesses of the social democratic parties following their poor showing in the European elections: "The victory of the Greek socialists … was the exception that confirms the rule: the Left has suffered a heavy defeat. The social democracy of our continent is falling into a coma that will mean brain death. And indeed the weakness of this political current has its root in the place where thoughts are formed. … Firstly, it has clung to its traditional creed: regulation of the economy through state intervention, but without taking ecological requirements or the consequences of globalisation into consideration. … When the present crisis began the social democrats gave the impression of wanting to use state influence when it was important to be liberal and being liberal when more state would have been necessary! … Does the future of social democracy not lie in social ecology?"
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All available articles from » Jean-Noël Cuénod
Dnevnik - Slovenia | Tuesday, 9. June 2009
The daily Dnevnik attributes the poor performance of the left-wing parties in the European elections to the low voter turnout: » more
The daily Dnevnik attributes the poor performance of the left-wing parties in the European elections to the low voter turnout: "Their defeat is not just obvious and catastrophic, it is also understandable. In times when the left parties should in fact be making themselves useful they are the political group with the fewest ideas within the Union. We should examine to what extent the Left contributed to the low voter turnout. In Eastern Europe and here in Slovenia citizens don't vote because for us the whole 'business of Europe' ceased to be relevant once we became EU members. Be that as it may, voters across Europe performed the largely make-believe democratic task of putting together the new Brussels Babylon, where much is translated but little understood, more under duress than anything else. The Brussels Babylon may … not have caused any damage worth mentioning so far, and is unlikely to do so in the next five years. But in the meantime we should consider whether this kind of European opinion poll … won't end up being the Union's undoing."
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All available articles from » Dejan Kovac
ABC - Spain | Monday, 8. June 2009
"The most important aspect of the European elections that ended yesterday is the serious crisis affecting Europe's Left," the conservative Spanish daily ABC writes: » more
"The most important aspect of the European elections that ended yesterday is the serious crisis affecting Europe's Left," the conservative Spanish daily ABC writes: "The Left was defeated in the most important countries where it is in government, as was the case in Spain and Portugal, or it was badly thrashed, as in Austria, or it was simply humiliated, as in the UK and Hungary. And where it is in the opposition - in Italy or France - or wants to be an alternative, like in Germany, its losses were also crippling. … The European People's Party has emerged strengthened from this election and become the most important European group: with its current members it holds 300 of the 736 seats. It is now up to it to put a halt to the growing Euroscepticism."
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The strength of the Right
Phileleftheros - Cyprus | Wednesday, 10. June 2009
The growing strength of right-wing forces in Europe is a clear rejection of a full integration of Turkey into the European Union, writes the Cypriot daily Phileleftheros: » more
The growing strength of right-wing forces in Europe is a clear rejection of a full integration of Turkey into the European Union, writes the Cypriot daily Phileleftheros: "Irrespective of how the EU moves forward and whether the revision of the conditions for Turkey [as regards EU membership] is put on the agenda or not, it's clear that this development must give us [Greek Cypriots] food for thought. After all, the whole [Greek-Turkish] scenario would change if Turkey altered its direction either voluntarily or under duress. … The special relations [favoured by conservative European forces] will do neither Cyprus nor Greece any good because they would give Turkey all the benefits without any of the obligations. … We must therefore be prepared to be confronted with such a situation. Even if the conditions for special relations between Turkey and the EU are extended we will have the right to a say and to play a role."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU enlargement, » EU neighbourhood policy, » United Kingdom, » Cyprus, » Europe, » Turkey
Financial Times - United Kingdom | Tuesday, 9. June 2009
For the first time, the right-wing extremist British National Party (BNP) has garnered two seats in the European elections. The Financial Times writes that its success can be put down to the inability of the mainstream parties to speak to the white working class: » more
For the first time, the right-wing extremist British National Party (BNP) has garnered two seats in the European elections. The Financial Times writes that its success can be put down to the inability of the mainstream parties to speak to the white working class: "There is no chance that the BNP will win a seat in the Commons, much less a position of national authority. This election is not a milestone on the road to serfdom. But the BNP foments - and relies on - local racial tension. Even a long way from power, the party is a deeply malign influence on British life. Reducing the damage the BNP can do will require the UK's mainstream parties to overcome their inability to reach the white working class. This, in particular, means making sure that the welfare system is believed to be fair. Perceived injustice is the root of the hatred on which the BNP relies."
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Hírszerző - Hungary | Tuesday, 9. June 2009
The Hungarian right-wing extremist Jobbik party won 15 percent of the vote in the European elections, thus obtaining three seats in the EU Parliament. News portal Hírszerző blames the established parties: » more
The Hungarian right-wing extremist Jobbik party won 15 percent of the vote in the European elections, thus obtaining three seats in the EU Parliament. News portal Hírszerző blames the established parties: "For twenty years the established centrist parties used the fascist trump card and were thus able to gloss over the fact that they had nothing of substance to say. The strategy behind this was to mobilise the masses through emotional blackmail. … In addition the centrist parties thought that in view of the Nazi threat it was only a minor peccadillo to be corrupt, reform-lazy and inconsistent in power. They tried to fool the voters and made unholy demons out of insignificant marginal figures so often that in the end, when the Right was indeed gaining ground, no one was ready to believe the dark visions. … Jobbik's triumph bodes ill for the guardians of democracy."
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All available articles from » László Tamás Papp
La Repubblica - Italy | Monday, 8. June 2009
The left-liberal daily La Repubblica comments on the transformation of the political panorama in Europe: » more
The left-liberal daily La Repubblica comments on the transformation of the political panorama in Europe: "The moderate Right has paradoxically been able to land a victory on two fronts: where it is in government, for example in France, Italy and Germany, the message of a calm force that is able to soothe the fears of voters has won the day. And where it is in opposition, like in Spain and the UK, it won the protest votes of those who blame the government for the economic crisis. … The success of the right-wing extremists and opponents of Europea in Holland, the UK and Austria … is the other side of the coin. Here the fear of social upheaval … turned into anger, hostility and the desperate demand for a moral and ethnic 'order'. And the way this type of xenophobic and racist delirium often goes hand in hand with a deep hostility towards the European project, which in many cases is the only effective protection against ultra-nationalist and anti-democratic tendencies, should give us food for thought."
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All available articles from » Andrea Bonanni
Népszava - Hungary | Monday, 8. June 2009
The left-leaning daily Népszava comments on the surprising election result of Hungary's right-wing extremist Jobbik party, which won three seats in the European Parliament: » more
The left-leaning daily Népszava comments on the surprising election result of Hungary's right-wing extremist Jobbik party, which won three seats in the European Parliament: "The dramatic advance of the radial Right must come as a hard blow for every democrat in Hungary. The just under 15 percent of the vote that Jobbik was able to win in the European elections [with a voter turnout of 36 percent] is an ill portent for all those who want a Hungary based on democracy and human rights. … Those committed to democracy need to urgently reflect on what has gone so terribly wrong in Hungary in the past few years. … Hungary has received a mighty slap in the face from hundreds of thousands of voters. We can only hope that this will shake those who see themselves as democrats into action. If not we face huge problems: rapidly spreading racism, self-administered justice and a trend towards a police state."
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All available articles from » János Dési
NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands | Monday, 8. June 2009
In the Netherlands Geert Wilder's Party for Freedom (PVV) won four mandates in the European Parliament for the first time. The big losers in the elections were the parties of the grand coalition, in particular the Social Democrats. The liberal daily NRC Handelsblad comments: » more
In the Netherlands Geert Wilder's Party for Freedom (PVV) won four mandates in the European Parliament for the first time. The big losers in the elections were the parties of the grand coalition, in particular the Social Democrats. The liberal daily NRC Handelsblad comments: "This is an indication that there is considerable voter support for the ideas of the PVV, which are against Europe, against Islam and play up to people's xenophobia. This is a fact the other parties will have to live with. It will be difficult for them to win back these voters without renouncing their own liberal or social principles - partly because the PVV's victory was a major one and also because of the simple fact that the great majority of the Dutch population, 83 percent, decided not to vote for this party. … Will the election result now lead to the conclusion that the Balkenende government must resign, as the leaders of the PVV and the liberal VVD have already demanded? The answer is no. These were European elections."
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Der Standard - Austria | Monday, 8. June 2009
The daily Der Standard comments on the victory of the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and the independent EU critic Hans-Peter Martin: » more
The daily Der Standard comments on the victory of the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and the independent EU critic Hans-Peter Martin: "More than one third of voters cast their ballots for populist parties and their top candidates during the Austrian EU elections. The FPÖ doubled its score, although it failed to live up to the results forecast in the surveys. With the undying support of [the daily] Kronen Zeitung, Martin had no trouble defending his third place. Not many of his voters will know what he stands for, what his political programme is or who occupies the second spot on the party's electoral list. Clearly it is enough in this country to enjoy the confidence of [Kronen Zeitung's publisher] Hans Dichand, to fulminate against the EU and to blaze along the campaign trail with a light bulb in your hand. ... Voter turnout didn't plummet as expected, a fact due in part to the Europeans from other countries elegible to vote here, as well as naturalised Austrians for whom voting is not a right to be taken for granted."
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All available articles from » Alexandra Föderl-Schmid
Gazeta Wyborcza - Poland | Monday, 8. June 2009
The liberal Gazeta Wyborcza considers that the seats in the European Parliament won by Euro-sceptics and extremists do not yet pose too great a threat: » more
The liberal Gazeta Wyborcza considers that the seats in the European Parliament won by Euro-sceptics and extremists do not yet pose too great a threat: "In the new European Parliament, extremist groups and politicians will be represented who used populist and often anti-European slogans in their campaigns. The so-called traditional [centrist] parties are finding it increasingly difficult to reach people, and are becoming distanced as a result. In addition, the programmes of the European Social Democrats are very similar to those of the Christian Democrats, and simple people aren't able to see the dissimilarities. For this reason a growing number of people vote for people who stand out, because they talk plainly, use populist language and reach the masses with their message. ... Extremist parties are no novelty in the European Parliament - they were also present in previous legislative periods. ... But if the traditional parties start to match their programmes to the anti-European trends a real threat will emerge."
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All available articles from » Bartosz Wieliński, » Jacek Pawlicki
Turun Sanomat - Finland | Monday, 8. June 2009
The right-wing True Finns party increased its share of the vote by 9 percent in comparison with the 2004 European elections. Its leader Timo Soini won more than 130,000 votes. The daily Turun Sanomat writes that this hardly comes as a surprise: » more
The right-wing True Finns party increased its share of the vote by 9 percent in comparison with the 2004 European elections. Its leader Timo Soini won more than 130,000 votes. The daily Turun Sanomat writes that this hardly comes as a surprise: "The True Finns have won their expected victory in the Finnish European elections. As the pollsters had predicted, the doors of the European Parliament have opened to the anti-Europe leader Timo Soini. Although this represents a historic performance its practical meaning remains a curiosity. Soini, who is continuing in the best tradition of Vennamo populism [after populist politician Veikko Vennamo] showed with his campaign that it's possible to whip up enthusiasm among the forgotten people even without European masters and solely on the strength of rhetoric. Not even his plans to spend only a brief spell in the European Parliament and return to domestic politics in time for the next general elections could hinder the avalanche of votes he received."
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Voter turnout
Berlingske - Denmark | Monday, 8. June 2009
Denmark went against the trend in the European elections. At just under 60 percent, voter turnout was higher than in the last elections. Voters cast ballots on the question of Denmark's royal succession at the same time. With the socialists emerging victorious the biggest winners were to be found on the left-hand side of the parliamentary spectrum. The Copenhagen-based daily Berlingske Tidende writes: » more
Denmark went against the trend in the European elections. At just under 60 percent, voter turnout was higher than in the last elections. Voters cast ballots on the question of Denmark's royal succession at the same time. With the socialists emerging victorious the biggest winners were to be found on the left-hand side of the parliamentary spectrum. The Copenhagen-based daily Berlingske Tidende writes: "Once again the election campaign followed the 'Denmark against all the others' motto, because we are so convinced that everyone else in the EU can learn a lot from us but we can learn little from them. … If we believe the many promises made by all the parties, we have now sent 13 Danish MEPs to the EU Parliament who are utterly determined to bring Danish aspects into the European debate, improve contact with Danish voters and take a more active part in Danish political life."
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Avgi - Greece | Wednesday, 3. June 2009
On April 27 as part of a cross-party initiative ten Europe enthusiasts set off from Brussels on their bikes on a journey to the EU's outer borders in a bid to mobilise citizens for the elections in areas with low voter turnout: » more
On April 27 as part of a cross-party initiative ten Europe enthusiasts set off from Brussels on their bikes on a journey to the EU's outer borders in a bid to mobilise citizens for the elections in areas with low voter turnout: "This campaign seems apolitical and somewhat absurd," writes the left-wing Greek daily Avgi. "The cyclists say they bear the happy news of the coming elections, but there are only few citizens in Europe who see this news as happy. The polls in most EU countries show that the intention of abstaining from voting prevails. However, in response to the question: 'Why aren't you going to vote?' a minority says: 'Because I'm not interested'. This is why the cyclists' initiative remains nothing but a failed attempt."
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Pravda - Slovakia | Wednesday, 3. June 2009
It's a paradox that the Slovaks have an above-average enthusiasm for the EU yet are not interested in the European Parliament elections, the left-wing daily Pravda notes: » more
It's a paradox that the Slovaks have an above-average enthusiasm for the EU yet are not interested in the European Parliament elections, the left-wing daily Pravda notes: "The majority of Slovaks think about the EU in the third person plural. The EU - that's not 'us' but 'them', the countries of the West who allowed us into their club. And who make sure that everything stays on track. And us? We are those who were taken in, and we're very grateful for that. … But sadder still is that most of the Slovak MEPs are tormented by the same paradox. Of this group of 14 members only three female MEPs were active. … The parties are thanking them for this in their own way: not one of them is now running for a secure place in the elections. Now that's a real paradox."
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Hírszerző - Hungary | Tuesday, 2. June 2009
The news portal Hírszerző writes on the irrelevance of the European elections in the eyes of Hungarian voters: » more
The news portal Hírszerző writes on the irrelevance of the European elections in the eyes of Hungarian voters: "Next Sunday we will vote Hungarian MEPs to the European Parliament. In general that's about all we know about the matter. ... 24 percent of elegible Hungarian voters, for example, haven't even got wind of the vote. ... This election will clearly not do justice to its function. The European Union is not a state, but a postmodern political organisation, meaning it lacks a true government in the traditional sense. ... A parliament can't make up for this deficit. That means that the European elections will not carry too much weight. All of the parties will make use of them to suit their own interests, no doubt most frequently as a large-scale domestic opinion poll."
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Karjalainen - Finland | Friday, 29. May 2009
The daily Karjalainen is delighted that the advance voter turnout for the European elections is unexpectedly high in Finland: » more
The daily Karjalainen is delighted that the advance voter turnout for the European elections is unexpectedly high in Finland: "Advance voting for the European Parliament got off to a surprisingly brisk start on Wednesday. On the first day more than 111,000 ballots were cast. By comparison, only around 90,000 people turned out on the first day of advance voting in the last elections. ... True, much of the enthusiasm of the first days can be put down to the fact that the school year is ending and graduates will be celebrating on the weekend. Many families have other plans and want to cast their ballots right away. ... Another reason for the high turnout in the past days could be that Timo Soini, the chairman of the [right-wing] True Finns, is running for a seat in the European Parliament, moving many EU opponents to come out and vote for him instead of dozing through the elections."
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Les Echos - France | Wednesday, 27. May 2009
The daily Les Echos writes that the European elections are rousing precious little interest in Italy because local elections will be held in several regions at the same time: » more
The daily Les Echos writes that the European elections are rousing precious little interest in Italy because local elections will be held in several regions at the same time: "Italy, which is traditionally pro-European, is not displaying the slightest interest in the upcoming elections. They'll be held at the same time as local elections, which play an important role in this highly decentralised country. What with the economic crisis and the prime minister's divorce and legal problems, the European elections are having a hard time being noticed at all. ... People on the Right are taking advantage of the non-stop flow of immigrants to win influence and focus on security - control rounds by civilians will soon be allowed - and the fight against immigration. Apart from that the crisis pretty much steals all the attention. The decline in gross domestic product was steeper in italy than in France, and unemployment is still rising."
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L'Est Républicain - France | Monday, 18. May 2009
The regional paper L'Est Répubicain casts about for reasons for the indifference of the French to the European elections: » more
The regional paper L'Est Répubicain casts about for reasons for the indifference of the French to the European elections: "The European elections never excited a huge passion in French hearts, but the vote that will take place on June 7 takes the biscuit. The French could not care less. Three weeks before the vote, surveys point to a 44 percent turnout. That is strange, because the European Parliament has a growing say in the affairs of the continent. ... Over and above purley French reasons, this indifference is also explained by the inherent weakness of the EU. With six countries the Union was still a dream, with 27 it has become an indefinable 'thing', whose workings appear increasingly obscure. And added to that there there's the whole technocratic side, which is far too caught up with the hunting of migratory birds, the composition of chocolate and the quality of rosé wines."
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Sme - Slovakia | Friday, 15. May 2009
In the last European elections the Slovaks provided the lowest voter turnout ever registered for such an event in an EU member state. The liberal daily Sme expresses concern that the country could set a new negative record in the coming elections: » more
In the last European elections the Slovaks provided the lowest voter turnout ever registered for such an event in an EU member state. The liberal daily Sme expresses concern that the country could set a new negative record in the coming elections: "The Union has been battling for years accusations that it is not under democratic control. The arguments are: firstly, the Union is turning into a super state [a federal state]; secondly, it is not under the democratic control of its citizens; and thirdly that it is too far removed from its citizens. … For sure, the low voter turnout is a disgrace, but it doesn't mean citizens no longer believe in democracy."
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Der Nordschleswiger - Denmark | Tuesday, 12. May 2009
In Denmark, too, people are barely aware of the European elections, but at least they will be combined with a referendum there. This prompts Der Nordschleswiger to hope that there will be a high voter turnout: » more
In Denmark, too, people are barely aware of the European elections, but at least they will be combined with a referendum there. This prompts Der Nordschleswiger to hope that there will be a high voter turnout: "For on the Sunday of the elections [the Danes] will also vote on a new law on the succession to the throne, and over 82 percent have said they intend to go to the ballot to have their say in the matter of gender equality [as regards succession to the throne]! But there is still much to be done before June 7 if the European elections are to be made attractive to voters, for according to an EU analysis only one in six (!) Danes is aware that a European election is soon to take place. The last time, on 13 June 2004 only 48 percent voted. … The candidates would also do well to get active because according to election analyses 55 percent of Danes have not yet decided who to vote for. But the main thing is that they do vote."
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Diário de Notícias - Portugal | Tuesday, 12. May 2009
Portugal's former head of state Màrio Soares writes in the daily Diário de Notícias that the upcoming European elections provide a chance to strengthen the EU project und thus overcome the economic crisis. EU politicians, he notes however, have failed to recognise this: » more
Portugal's former head of state Màrio Soares writes in the daily Diário de Notícias that the upcoming European elections provide a chance to strengthen the EU project und thus overcome the economic crisis. EU politicians, he notes however, have failed to recognise this: "Last weekend the end of the Second World War was discretely celebrated. … The international press wrote - quite rightly - that the EU had no reason to celebrate because at present it is peppered with nationalist movements (which we believed had long been relegated to the past). The current EU politicians are not up to the challenge, … have no plans for the future and are incapable of further developing the European project. The elections to the EU Parliament, which in future will hopefully have more powers, are imminent. It is therefore strange that so far the most important issue has not been discussed: an integrated vision of the EU that … confers it a global political dimension in keeping with its history. The European elections are failing to provide the incentive or reasons to vote. This disinterest leads to abstention and this in turn to decadence. Only a strong and united Europe can combat the current crisis. It would be a shame if this opportunity was missed. … Can't European politicians see this? History won't forgive them!"
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Ta Nea - Greece | Friday, 8. May 2009
Roussos Vranas writes in the daily Ta Nea about the relatively small influence of the European Parliament: » more
Roussos Vranas writes in the daily Ta Nea about the relatively small influence of the European Parliament: "Why are its members political dwarfs? You just have to look at the numbers. On the one hand we have the 736 MEPs who are elected and on the other the 15,000 officials of the all-powerful EU Commission. The arithmetical deficit reveals a democratic deficit. … Although the Parliament is the only organ of the EU whose members are directly elected by the citizens of Europe its legislative powers are limited. The big decisions are made by the European Commission and the interest lobbies whom it consults. However these two are not elected by Europeans. All those who encourage us to go to the ballot for the European elections because the EU is supposed to be the only way out of the crisis are in fact expecting us to vote for an organ that they have robbed of any authority to find a solution."
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Adevărul - Romania | Thursday, 7. May 2009
The most recent parliamentary elections last autumn left many Romanians frustrated because the politicians and parties have failed to keep their promises. Stelian Tanase writes in the daily Adevărul about the connection between national and European elections: » more
The most recent parliamentary elections last autumn left many Romanians frustrated because the politicians and parties have failed to keep their promises. Stelian Tanase writes in the daily Adevărul about the connection between national and European elections: "I believe the reason [for the indifference of the voters] is not just that Brussels is so far away; it's also what happened in the last elections. … I detect a certain carelessness in the repetition of the same old techniques that almost everyone recognises. I'm not sure whether the 'promise everyone everything' formula will work this time. … June 7 will basically be a test of how voters react to the tricks of the politicians. Have they learned their lesson from the bluff last autumn or can they forgive and forget this quickly? Abstention will be the rule, but the direction the vote takes will tell us something about the collective short-term memory."
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De Volkskrant - Netherlands | Monday, 4. May 2009
There is a low level of interest in the European elections, journalist Michael Zeeman writes in the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant. Indifference and ignorance are the reasons for this, he concludes, and writes that the MEPs are also to blame: » more
There is a low level of interest in the European elections, journalist Michael Zeeman writes in the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant. Indifference and ignorance are the reasons for this, he concludes, and writes that the MEPs are also to blame: "The past six months marked by the financial crisis have shown that European politics works only at a governmental level when there is a real problem to be tackled. The European Parliament is pushed to one side; it isn't even asked to give its approval. The strange thing is that the [Dutch] leading candidates apparently think this is wonderful. They make no mention of it. The removal of borders between the states of the EU has created a new space. … The resulting supra-national space is used too little rather than too much. But the politicians who should be making sure it is exploited, the Euro-MPs, allow their national party leaders to restrict their actions."
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Saturday, 2. May 2009
The different parties have lauched their campaigns for the European Parliament elections. The left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung predicts the elections will be a total failure: » more
The different parties have lauched their campaigns for the European Parliament elections. The left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung predicts the elections will be a total failure: "The European elections will be a disaster because the parliament and the institutions of the Community are more distant than ever, because seldom before have people seen so few good reasons to send an unfamiliar representative to an unfamiliar parliament. … Europe has never seen itself as a major player in the world, as a strategic unit working for its own interest and - as pathetic as this may sound - for the common good. Yet together the states of Europe carry considerable clout, which indeed they need to compete against the market power of the US and China. … The European Union must leave the ups and downs of depression and euphoria that have defined its rhythm for decades behind it. It needs the power of continuity. And to achieve this it needs its own set of operating instructions - the Treaty of Lisbon."
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The role of the parties
Trouw - Netherlands | Friday, 5. June 2009
In the European election campaign in the Netherlands right-wing populist Geert Wilders' anti-European Party for Freedom (PVV) has emerged as the country's second-strongest political force. The parties of the middle were the great losers, particularly the Social Democrats. The daily Trouw analyses the election results: » more
In the European election campaign in the Netherlands right-wing populist Geert Wilders' anti-European Party for Freedom (PVV) has emerged as the country's second-strongest political force. The parties of the middle were the great losers, particularly the Social Democrats. The daily Trouw analyses the election results: "In the end this outcome shows that the Netherlands is not nearly as eurosceptic as one would have supposed four years ago [when two-thirds rejected the European constitution]. This is an important conclusion after years of doubts about the attitude of our country, which in 1957 stood at the cradle of European cooperation. … The voter turnout was pretty much the same as in 2004, but considerably higher than in the 1990s. From this one can deduce that Europe now beats stronger in our hearts and minds. Expectations can't be that high in view of the hazy position of the European Parliament within what continues to be a pure confederation of states. In this context multilingualism poses a major stumbling block for European debate."
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Aftonbladet - Sweden | Tuesday, 26. May 2009
"In the wake of mass unemployment and growing social tensions Europe's right-wing extremists see a great opportunity", the Swedish daily Aftonbladet writes. "Fascists and Nazis ... » more
"In the wake of mass unemployment and growing social tensions Europe's right-wing extremists see a great opportunity", the Swedish daily Aftonbladet writes. "Fascists and Nazis are openly marching on the streets of Italy, France, Germany and Hungary. And unfortunately here in Sweden too, where we have some of the most violent Nazi groups and where the [right-wing populist] Sweden Democrats have great expectations. They want to use the EU elections as a platform for their half-baked ideas. … In Holland, the party of anti-Muslim demagogue Geert Wilders has become the most popular political party. In Austria Jörg Haider's old Freedom Party of Austria has gained confidence on the tide of the last parliamentary election. … The great risk is that the established political parties begin to flirt with the nationalist and reactionary forces. Denmark is an alarming example of this. May the European elections instead become a manifestation for a Europe of diversity, which stands united both socially and economically. Vote the right-wing extremists out of office!"
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Latvijas Avīze - Latvia | Friday, 22. May 2009
The daily Latvijas Avīze fears that the low interest in the European elections could work strongly in favour of right-wing and left-wing populists: » more
The daily Latvijas Avīze fears that the low interest in the European elections could work strongly in favour of right-wing and left-wing populists: "According to the Eurobarometer a majority of EU citizens aren't interested in the European elections. And a large majority of those who do vote believe their ballot won't change a thing. In all probability that is not too far from the truth. Nevertheless changes cannot be ruled out altogether, including changes for the worse. These primarily concern the so-called small countries, when they're unable to present respectable candidates or when they sink into political apathy. Belgians who don't vote in the elections must pay a fine, 25 to 125 euros (in case of recurrence). The price for the indifference of Latvian voters will be far higher."
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Világgazdaság - Hungary | Monday, 18. May 2009
The business paper writes about the election campaign of opposition party Fidesz, which according to polls will win the European elections by a large majority: » more
The business paper writes about the election campaign of opposition party Fidesz, which according to polls will win the European elections by a large majority: "The oppositional young democrats [Fidesz] have presented a 284-page election manifesto for the European elections. It makes no mention of domestic Hungarian politics or potential ways out of the economic crisis. Nor was the manifesto designed for this purpose. … However the Fidesz election campaign is a different matter altogether: it focuses almost exclusively on domestic policy. And no wonder: Fidesz sees the European elections as the first round in the [national] parliamentary elections scheduled for spring 2010. The major opposition party even secretly calculates that in the case of a bitter defeat for the already floundering left liberal ruling party in the European elections the parliamentary elections could be pulled forward to this autumn."
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The Observer - United Kingdom | Monday, 4. May 2009
The Sunday paper The Observer examines the chances of the radical right-wing British National Party (BNP) in the European Parliament elections: » more
The Sunday paper The Observer examines the chances of the radical right-wing British National Party (BNP) in the European Parliament elections: "When the north-west region votes in next month's European elections, the BNP doesn't need to win: under a system using proportional representation, its candidate and chairman Nick Griffin needs just 8% of the vote - fractionally more than its 6.5% last time - to secure a historic first European parliament seat for the British far right. ... There are signs that BNP support is shallow, lacking resources and manpower. ... Nonetheless, 4 June remains not just D-day for Brown. It may also be D-day for deciding what kind of society Britain will become. For once, a cross in a ballot box really could change history. And not voting might mean living with the consequences."
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European election campaign issues
Figyelő - Hungary | Friday, 5. June 2009
The Hungarian parties have all but ignored European topics in campaigning for the European elections, writes the business paper Figyelő in its leading article: » more
The Hungarian parties have all but ignored European topics in campaigning for the European elections, writes the business paper Figyelő in its leading article: "The parties have succeeded in running their campaigns from start to finish without losing so much as a word over the EU. ... l grant you, recent weeks have shown that domestic issues have dominated campaigns in other countries as well. Nevertheless Hungary's provincialism was particularly striking. It remains a mystery to voters what Hungary hopes to achieve in the European Union. Admittedly, the same was true five years ago. But at least this time around the opposition could have called the government to account. ... Instead, the conservative opposition party Fidesz went to great pains to avoid saying what was really at stake here: the fate of the 22 Hungarian mandates in the European Parliament. Rather, Fidesz never stopped hammering the message home with its voters that the European elections provided the perfect opportunity for it to pronounce judgement on the [post-socialist] government."
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Cyprus Mail - Cyprus | Thursday, 28. May 2009
The English-language daily Cyprus Mail complains that the European election campaign in Cyprus focuses entirely on the solution of the Cyprus problem: » more
The English-language daily Cyprus Mail complains that the European election campaign in Cyprus focuses entirely on the solution of the Cyprus problem: "They have no interest in what is discussed at the European Parliament or in the decisions taken by the Commission, unless they are related in some way to the Cyprus problem. This indifference is understandable, to an extent, as Cyprus is too small to have much of a say in what goes on and has accepted the role of passive member-state. ... The truth is that none of the six candidates who win seats at the European Parliament will make the slightest bit of difference to the Cyprus problem. ... We know it is difficult for any candidate to deviate from his party's line, but it would be good to hear the odd candidate talk about mundane EU issues and make a commitment to keep Cyprus' citizens informed about these issues if elected. After all the Cyprus problem will not be solved in Strasbourg."
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Heti Világgazdaság - Hungary | Tuesday, 26. May 2009
The liberal weekly Világgazdaság comments on the distinctly national bent of Hungarian parties in their approach to the European elections: » more
The liberal weekly Világgazdaság comments on the distinctly national bent of Hungarian parties in their approach to the European elections: "What is taking place in Hungary under the name European elections can with good reason be called illegitimate. ... Our parties are attempting to convince the uninformed Hungarian voters why the government's performance is good or bad, and why the opposition will do the very opposite when it comes to power. Presumably this propaganda does not miss its mark at least among a portion of the electorate. For that reason, the result of the European elections on June 7 will make clear what the make-up of the Hungarian parliament would be if national elections were to take place on that day. ... The problem is, however, that the upcoming elections aren't for the Hungarian but for the European Parliament. But the Hungarian parties don't seem to be aware of that at all. Their actions and their rhetoric have precious little to do with what their party families - be it the European People's Party or the Party of European Socialists - are saying in the European Parliament."
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Der Standard - Austria | Monday, 25. May 2009
The daily Der Standard deplores that instead of concentrating on urgent EU matters the EU election campaign in Austria is dominated by the confrontation between Christianity and Islam: » more
The daily Der Standard deplores that instead of concentrating on urgent EU matters the EU election campaign in Austria is dominated by the confrontation between Christianity and Islam: "The FPÖ [Freedom Party of Austria] set the tone by diabolically combining the two into a major campaign issue à la 'Cross against Turkey'. The blue campaign is a disgrace because it's based on lies and is unhistoric. But worse still is that the other parties are proving so inept at setting matters right in the voters' minds, at focusing the confrontation on the real agenda of political problems, at showing commitment to the EU. Unemployment, the environment, how to create a Union that is capable of governing, how to strengthen Europe instead of destroying it? These are not religious issues. But instead the ÖVP [Austrian People's Party] is offering a major Turkey pandemonium while the chancellor is resorting to the kind of harsh words ['hate preachers'] that up to now were the sole preserve of Islamist agitators against the West."
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La Voix du Luxembourg - Luxembourg | Wednesday, 20. May 2009
The daily La Voix du Luxembourg analyses the lacking presence of European party manifestos in the national election campaigns: » more
The daily La Voix du Luxembourg analyses the lacking presence of European party manifestos in the national election campaigns: "If things go on like this the plans of the political groups in the European Parliament will not be legible. This is a shame because how is a voter supposed to decide if he can't see a clear connection between the party manifestos presented by the national parties and the guidelines followed by the political groups in the European Parliament? With good reason voters will have doubts about candidates whose manifestos will become partially invalid because they have not been the subject of prior consultation with the respective parliamentary group. To counter the predicted low voter turnout now would be a good time to at least discuss this problem."
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Delo - Slovenia | Friday, 8. May 2009
Zoran Thaler, former Slovenian foreign minister and Social Democratic candidate in the European elections, says that if elected he would push for a green economy: » more
Zoran Thaler, former Slovenian foreign minister and Social Democratic candidate in the European elections, says that if elected he would push for a green economy: "So many trucks drive between Munich and Hamburg, for example, just so that we can buy thirty different types of yoghurt. The fact that we have thirty brands to choose from plays a large role in the exploitation of nature, which we previously considered 'free'. This example highlights the question of whether we can change our development paradigm and instigate green economic growth. Green growth means that gross domestic product is no longer the sole criterion for success or the quality of life. It is essential that we orient the economy towards the protection of nature and create new jobs in the green economy."
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Diário de Notícias - Portugal | Thursday, 7. May 2009
Examining the Portuguese candidates for election to the European Parliament the daily Diário de Notícias bemoans their lack of concrete proposals on EU policy issues: » more
Examining the Portuguese candidates for election to the European Parliament the daily Diário de Notícias bemoans their lack of concrete proposals on EU policy issues: "The streets are already teeming with election posters, some of them in very bad taste. On television there are a few debates between the candidates of parties who are already in the EU Parliament and representatives of those who want to get in. But the truth is: When it comes to EU policy, which is the real point of all the candidatures and for the sake of which 22 Portuguese will be elected to represent their country, there are no concrete proposals. This is very bad, … particularly seen as the Lisbon treaty (which will enter force sooner or later) will give MEPs more power than they have had so far."
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Eleftherotypia - Greece | Monday, 4. May 2009
The daily Eleftherotypia writes that the European elections will intensify political conflicts in Greece: » more
The daily Eleftherotypia writes that the European elections will intensify political conflicts in Greece: "Today two matters dominate public life which did not exist ten years ago. The first is the government's failed economic policy, which together with the economic crisis is leading Greece into bankruptcy. ... Secondly come the many and repeated scandals which have brought the government to a dead end. ... In addition, the European elections are slated for the same month when the limitation period ends for ministers and state secretaries to be punished for a series of scandals. ... The citizens have lost their confidence in the parties and their pessimism has reached a high point, because they now believe their political representatives cannot meet the requirements of today."
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Mladá fronta Dnes - Czech Republic | Monday, 4. May 2009
The liberal daily Mladá Fronta Dnes criticises the slogans of the Czech Social Democrats in the European Parliament elections as misleading: » more
The liberal daily Mladá Fronta Dnes criticises the slogans of the Czech Social Democrats in the European Parliament elections as misleading: "'No cuts in family allowance payments', the Social Democrats say. 'We want a health system without extra payments, we want social security for all, we want affordable rents', they say. Of course it's not the MEPs - who are some of the best-earning men and women in the Czech Republic - who decide how high child allowance benefits will be. But what other choice do the Social Democrats have? They must mobilise as many people as possible. In the 2004 European Parliament elections, only a mere 28 percent of the electorate even bothered to vote."
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Candidates and parliamentarians
Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 4. June 2009
In an interview with the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung on the European elections, Dutch author Geert Mak writes that the EU lacks charismatic politicians: » more
In an interview with the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung on the European elections, Dutch author Geert Mak writes that the EU lacks charismatic politicians: "Europe needs more stories, more faces with whom we can get angry and against whom we can let off some steam. We saw this during the French EU presidency. Even though the Germans got annoyed about President Nicolas Sarkozy, he not only got a few things done but with his theatricals he gave people from Copenhagen to Barcelona the feeling: We know him. We are being represented at a European level. Europe needs charismatic figures. And another thing: Why are there no European candidates; why can't I, as a Dutchman, vote for Daniel Cohn-Bendit who is running for election in France?"
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Die Presse - Austria | Wednesday, 3. June 2009
The daily Die Presse complains that over the past few weeks "TV-Pressestunden", an Austrian television programme, has attracted few viewers with its questioning of leading Austrian candidates to the EU Parliament: » more
The daily Die Presse complains that over the past few weeks "TV-Pressestunden", an Austrian television programme, has attracted few viewers with its questioning of leading Austrian candidates to the EU Parliament: "Only the enemies of the EU were able to show any true passion. The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is even calling June 7 the 'day of reckoning'. Reckoning for what? For the fact that we live in peace and prosperity? … There used to be enthusiastic game shows on television in which countries competed against each other: 'Games without frontiers', which is also a Peter Gabriel song. In 'EWG' ('One wins') with 'Kuli' [TV presenter Joachim Kulenkampff] we viewers used to get as excited as the competitors every Saturday night, and that did more for Europe than many an EU campaign. Perhaps this TV format should be revived so that the things we have in common become more visible and every now and then the European anthem really is an 'Ode to Joy'."
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All available articles from » Martina Salomon
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 2. June 2009
On Monday the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid a visit to Prague, and today, Tuesday, former chancellor Gerhard Schröder will visit the Czech capital. Both came with the goal of supporting their Social Democratic colleague Jiří Paroubek in the European elections, writes the conservative daily Lidové Noviny: » more
On Monday the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid a visit to Prague, and today, Tuesday, former chancellor Gerhard Schröder will visit the Czech capital. Both came with the goal of supporting their Social Democratic colleague Jiří Paroubek in the European elections, writes the conservative daily Lidové Noviny: "Paroubek's assurances that Lisbon is a good thing for the Czechs has one drawback. Both his friends belong to the Russian wing of German politics. If Europe were to work according to their wishes, the big EU countries would agree on matters over the heads of the smaller countries in the 'buffer zone' between Germany and Russia. ... Is Schröder nothing more than a commendable politician? Is he not paid from revenues of the Russian energy company Gazprom? That adds a whole new twist to his slogan 'Lisbon or Moscow'. But at least we know why Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin didn't come in person. No doubt he doesn't have the time, so he sent his sherpas instead."
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All available articles from » Zbyněk Petráček
Etelä-Suomen-Sanomat - Finland | Thursday, 28. May 2009
Mitro Repo, a well-known Orthodox priest in Finland, is running for election to the EU Parliament as an independent on the list of the Finnish Social Democrats. Now the Church wants to rescind his right to pursue his profession at least for the duration of his candidacy and possible activities in the European Parliament. The daily Etelä-Suomen Sanomat comments: » more
Mitro Repo, a well-known Orthodox priest in Finland, is running for election to the EU Parliament as an independent on the list of the Finnish Social Democrats. Now the Church wants to rescind his right to pursue his profession at least for the duration of his candidacy and possible activities in the European Parliament. The daily Etelä-Suomen Sanomat comments: "Repo's case shows that the Orthodox Church still adheres to the old church traditions in its activities. While in the Lutheran Church vehement arguments about women as pastors and the blessing of homosexual couples are underway, at the Orthodox Church it's all about nice music and the best possible protection for icons. Controversies are simply non-existent for the Orthodox Church. They are neither needed nor discussed. Nor does the Church express its views on them. Unlike the Lutheran Church, the Orthodox Church does not keep up with the times."
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La Voce - Italy | Tuesday, 19. May 2009
The online portal La Voce writes that judging by the composition of the previous Italian contingent of MEPs, one could easily get the impression that the country's representatives to the European Parliament are all well past their prime: » more
The online portal La Voce writes that judging by the composition of the previous Italian contingent of MEPs, one could easily get the impression that the country's representatives to the European Parliament are all well past their prime: "Well-paid, idle, male, advanced in age, more loyal to their party than to their country. ... The personal data, political experience and behavioural patterns of our MEPs all seem to confirm the widespread opinion that the European elections are a sort of luxury retirement plan, a sort of elephants' graveyard. ... That may be due to the conception that the European Parliament plays a subordinate role to the Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers). This idea is obsolete, because Parliament's institutional role has grown over time. ... Shouldn't we use the EU Parliament as a practical test for young and promising politicians like other countries do, instead of a luxury nursing home?"
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All available articles from » Vicenzo Galasso
Irish Examiner - Ireland | Tuesday, 19. May 2009
The Irish Examiner comments on the fact that fewer than one quarter of Irish candidates to the European Parliament are women: » more
The Irish Examiner comments on the fact that fewer than one quarter of Irish candidates to the European Parliament are women: "In 2004, Ireland was 63rd on a league table that considered the number of women elected to political office in various countries. ... Last month we fell nearly 30 places to 88th in the latest worldwide poll. Amongst European parliaments, the Dáil has one of the lowest percentages of women members at about 13 percent. The EU average is 24 percent with the highest, Sweden, at 47 percent. In Ireland ... we elect fewer women than Bolivia, Sudan, Cambodia or Kazakhstan. Irish women are amongst least successful - or the most effectively excluded - Europeans at getting elected to political office or even being nominated to stand for office. If encouraging more women to participate would change this country for the better, we would be fools not to do so. Any barriers that prevent anyone, no matter their gender, from making a positive contribution must be removed."
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Público - Spain | Tuesday, 19. May 2009
A list of candidates for the European elections in Spain has been declared invalid by the country's Supreme Court on the grounds of alleged close ties with the Basque terrorist organisation Eta. Many critics call this a false decision, saying the evidence is not conclusive. Political scientist Ramón Cotarelo has soothing words for the critics in the Spanish daily Público: » more
A list of candidates for the European elections in Spain has been declared invalid by the country's Supreme Court on the grounds of alleged close ties with the Basque terrorist organisation Eta. Many critics call this a false decision, saying the evidence is not conclusive. Political scientist Ramón Cotarelo has soothing words for the critics in the Spanish daily Público: "Ultimately the conclusion is that the conclusion of the critics is wrong. In Spain we do not ban ideas, and certainly not ideas of independence. The proof is that independence-seeking parties are represented in our institutions, like Aralar in the Basque country and the ERC in Catalonia, which is actually a ruling party there. The difference is that they do not approve of violence and do not belong to the political movement of those who murder in order to impose their political ideas. In Spain activities or events are banned, but not ideas. And anyone who is affected by a ban can appeal against it if he believes that rights have been violated."
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All available articles from » Ramón Cotarelo
Eesti Päevaleht - Estonia | Friday, 15. May 2009
The daily Eesti Päevaleht finds the campaign for the European elections above all rather ridiculous: » more
The daily Eesti Päevaleht finds the campaign for the European elections above all rather ridiculous: "The election campaign puts citizens in mind of the 'Karlsson-on-the-Roof' [series of children's books by Astrid Lindgren]. However not just because all the candidates were rather fat men in their prime, but because they all claim to be the best in the world. … Therefore voters have no option but to look for a peephole in the garden fence. The cheat sheet with the questions for election day is thus extremely simple and contains just three questions: Does the party talk about issues that are actually on the agenda in the EU parliament? Can the promises really be fulfilled in the EU parliament? Does the person who ends up going to Brussels really have the skills to negotiate at an international level, and is he taken seriously?"
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All available articles from » Agu Uudelepp
Libertad Digital - Spain | Thursday, 14. May 2009
One of the Spanish lists of candidates for the European elections is under examination to determine whether it should be banned owing to its closeness to terrorist organisation Eta. The conservative online paper Libertad Digital warns: » more
One of the Spanish lists of candidates for the European elections is under examination to determine whether it should be banned owing to its closeness to terrorist organisation Eta. The conservative online paper Libertad Digital warns: "Time will tell whether the evidence is damning enough to justify a ban of the list. We should however have no doubt that Eta has every intention of retaining the political and financial means that its presence in the institutions has unfortunately secured it ever since the new political parties act came into effect. Several new Eta documents prove this. … However sources of the public prosecutor's office have revealed that Eta and its allies are acting in a way that makes it more and more difficult to ban their lists because they apply increasingly sophisticated and complex systems."
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România Liberă - Romania | Thursday, 14. May 2009
The Romanian ex-justice minister Monica Macovei is running as a candidate for the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) in the European elections. During her term in office (2004-07) Macovei made her mark as a tough fighter of corruption. The Romania Libera newspaper comments: » more
The Romanian ex-justice minister Monica Macovei is running as a candidate for the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) in the European elections. During her term in office (2004-07) Macovei made her mark as a tough fighter of corruption. The Romania Libera newspaper comments: "The return of Monica Macovei to the Brussels legislature provokes fear above all among the members of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) [the post-communist ruling party], which has to be on permanent alert to contradict whatever the former justice minister says. They won't be able to rest on their laurels any more, for unlike them Macovei is not only well known in Brussels but also has plenty of influence. If Monica Macovei gets into parliament her parliamentary colleagues from the PSD will be obliged to explain in Brussels why the party is blocking justice and why it continues to support those who are accused of corruption. Monica Macovei is the only one who will resume the autopsy of the Romanian oligarchy system while the world watches."
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All available articles from » Sabina Fati
Politis - Cyprus | Tuesday, 12. May 2009
Although EU law does not apply in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) because the other EU member states have refused to recognise the TRNC most Turkish Cypriots also hold citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus, which became an EU member in 2004, and can therefore take part in the European elections. Sener Levent, who is running for the second time as an independent candidate, complains that there will be no Turkish Cypriots in the EU Parliament: » more
Although EU law does not apply in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) because the other EU member states have refused to recognise the TRNC most Turkish Cypriots also hold citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus, which became an EU member in 2004, and can therefore take part in the European elections. Sener Levent, who is running for the second time as an independent candidate, complains that there will be no Turkish Cypriots in the EU Parliament: "Neither the disinterest of the people nor the fact that everything is being left to fate are surprising. Neither the people in the North nor those in the South exert pressure on their leaders. … The fact that this time not a single Turkish Cypriot will be voted into the European Parliament is even more unfortunate for the Greek Cypriots than it is for Turkish Cypriots. Why? Because the realities of Cyprus as presented in the EU Parliament by a Greek Cypriot MEP cannot carry as much weight as the realities a Turkish Cypriot would present."
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All available articles from » Şener Levent
Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Monday, 11. May 2009
In the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita Piotr Semka concludes that Polish Premier Donald Tusk is exploiting the question of the presidency of the European Parliament to gain an advantage against rival parties in the election campaign: » more
In the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita Piotr Semka concludes that Polish Premier Donald Tusk is exploiting the question of the presidency of the European Parliament to gain an advantage against rival parties in the election campaign: "'If the [Civic Platform] PO wins I guarantee you we will have a president of the European Parliament', Donald Tusk declared in Poznań. The leaders of the PO are trying to play the patriotic card in the election campaign: … A good result in the elections would strengthen the Platform's position in the EPP [European People's Party] and this in turn would secure the post of head of the European Parliament for the PO's candidate, Jerzy Buzek, and thus bolster Poland's position [inside the EU]. Thus, they [the leaders of the PO] are unequivocally suggesting that votes given to the [national conservative] PiS or the Left are wasted."
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All available articles from » Piotr Semka
Dagens Nyheter - Sweden | Wednesday, 6. May 2009
In the run-up to the European elections the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation has resorted to unusual tactics. In the daily Dagens Nyheter Mikael Karlsson and Svante Axelsson have published a list of politicians who have shown commitment to protecting the environment in the European Parliament and those who have not, giving the following explanation: » more
In the run-up to the European elections the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation has resorted to unusual tactics. In the daily Dagens Nyheter Mikael Karlsson and Svante Axelsson have published a list of politicians who have shown commitment to protecting the environment in the European Parliament and those who have not, giving the following explanation: "The Swedish politicians who are elected to the EU Parliament on June 7 have the power to improve the environment in Sweden or damage it. The EU Parliament plays a decisive role in environmental legislation. … We know that information [about voting behaviour on environmental issues] forms an important basis for those for whom environmental matters are important in determining how they vote. Moreover, opinion surveys show that in the run-up to the current election the climate issue is by far the most important issue for voters."
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All available articles from » Mikael Karlsson, » Svante Axelsson
Karjalainen - Finland | Wednesday, 6. May 2009
The Finnish daily Karjalainen comments on a survey by opinion research institute Gallup according to which prominent party politicians rather than experts will gain seats ... » more
The Finnish daily Karjalainen comments on a survey by opinion research institute Gallup according to which prominent party politicians rather than experts will gain seats in the European Parliament. "It would be a great thing if voters in the coming European elections vote for those candidates they feel they can trust. But at the same time we should bear in mind that public celebrity alone does not make an excellent politician. There are candidates who are not celebrities and come from other walks of life than the sphere of political decision-making. On the other hand, first-timers and trainees are not what the European Parliament needs either. Among the more than 700 Euro-MPs the 13 Finnish MEPs form such a tiny group that those eligible to vote should attach particular importance to the professional abilities of the candidates when they make their choice."
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Žurnal24 online - Slovenia | Tuesday, 5. May 2009
The online newspaper Žurnal24 criticises the fact that not one of the Slovenian parties has a female candidate at the top of its list even though the topic of equal rights for women comes up on a daily basis: » more
The online newspaper Žurnal24 criticises the fact that not one of the Slovenian parties has a female candidate at the top of its list even though the topic of equal rights for women comes up on a daily basis: "Should women stay at home? Everyone talks about equality. On March 8 [International Women's Day] the President of the Republic of Slovenia depicted this as the most important topic. Yet among the leading candidates for the European elections there is not a single woman. Not even any new faces. With their selection of candidates the parties are trying to revive the political careers of familiar figures - people who were ministers or held other important posts in the past. How boring. Voters, take matters into your own hands! Remember June 7, go to the ballot and vote! Vote for women, for young people, for those you like! Otherwise I fear Slovenia could end up with no female representatives in the European Parliament for the next five years."
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All available articles from » Ksenija Koren
La Vanguardia - Spain | Tuesday, 5. May 2009
Writing in the Spanish daily La Vanguardia Lluís Foix criticises Italian President Silvio Berlusconi's idea of filling the lists of candidates for the European Parliament elections with pretty women: » more
Writing in the Spanish daily La Vanguardia Lluís Foix criticises Italian President Silvio Berlusconi's idea of filling the lists of candidates for the European Parliament elections with pretty women: "Silvio Berlusconi's attitude is grotesque. He is 'frivolising' the European elections by proposing to put pretty women on the lists, good-looking women who through their participation in TV competitions and other trivial television shows are familiar to voters. This is a plan that does not serve the cause of supporting the dignity of women who don't need the help of Berlusconi's fantasies to take active part in every segment of society."
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The media and the campaign
Die Presse - Austria | Thursday, 4. June 2009
Half a million viewers watched a debate by Austrian top candidates in the European elections on television on Tuesday night. The daily Die Presse writes that the discussions were the strongest argument for not casting your ballot: » more
Half a million viewers watched a debate by Austrian top candidates in the European elections on television on Tuesday night. The daily Die Presse writes that the discussions were the strongest argument for not casting your ballot: "The absurd thing was that - with the exception of the Green politician Ulrike Lunacek - apparently everyone agreed on practically everything in an emotional gush of unanimity. They were against Turkey, against the asylum directive, for more police officers and against transit traffic. Nevertheless no one bothered to develop their position, and everyone just contradicted each other. Hardly anyone had special knowledge of European politics, all they knew about was what other people had done wrong. Do we want to vote for these politicians, this caustic, frustrated troupe? ... We, the half million viewers, can perhaps find consolation in the fact that what is at stake far exceeds these televised debates. What's at stake is the future of a parliament in which 731 more MEPs will be sitting - some of whom have the calibre required for the job."
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All available articles from » Wolfgang Böhm
Diena - Latvia | Thursday, 28. May 2009
Journalist Laila Pakalnina fumes about the European elections advertisement on the webpage of Latvia's LPP/LC party: » more
Journalist Laila Pakalnina fumes about the European elections advertisement on the webpage of Latvia's LPP/LC party: "Under the title 'Information Page on the Elections to the European Parliament' you see the picture of a seagull. If you click on the picture you get to see a live broadcast from the nest of a silvery gull. The bird is not always there but when it is in the nest it has its rear to the camera. This conveys the impression that publicity is being replaced by the observation of a seagull's backside. And when you click on it again you can answer the question: 'Are you going to vote?' Yes, I will cast my ballot even if my doing so could be interpreted by some experts as proof of the success of their campaign. I simply have to protest at people thinking I am primitive."
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Le Quotidien - Luxembourg | Tuesday, 26. May 2009
In its leading article the daily Le Quotidien looks at how election candidates are using the Internet and above all online social networks: » more
In its leading article the daily Le Quotidien looks at how election candidates are using the Internet and above all online social networks: "There's nothing going on out there? A campaign? Where? Oh, yes. The posters: on the one hand the official ones and on the other the 'wild-growing' ones. And public meetings that fail to attract the masses, particularly when the weather's nice. … And then there's the cross-country marathons hundreds of people do on their computers. … The virtual world into which politicians have effortlessly penetrated offers a campaign which gets much closer to citizens than the posters plastered all over our streets. … Many candidates have grasped Facebook's scope. People don't vote for a party member but a friend who talks to them every day and sometimes uses photos several times a day to keep them up to date on what he's doing, where he is, where he was yesterday, what he'll do tomorrow and even what time he goes to bed."
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All available articles from » Geneviève Montaigu
Právo - Czech Republic | Friday, 22. May 2009
Czech television and radio stations have stopped broadcasting an advertisement for the European elections by the non-parliamentary extreme right-wing National Party in the wake of massive protests. The advertisement referred to a "final solution to the Gypsy question". Both public broadcasters then filed lawsuits against the National Party. The left-leaning daily Právo wonders why the advert was broadcast in the first place: » more
Czech television and radio stations have stopped broadcasting an advertisement for the European elections by the non-parliamentary extreme right-wing National Party in the wake of massive protests. The advertisement referred to a "final solution to the Gypsy question". Both public broadcasters then filed lawsuits against the National Party. The left-leaning daily Právo wonders why the advert was broadcast in the first place: "Yes, the electoral law does allow for competing parties being given broadcasting time on radio and television. It also stipulates that responsibility for the content of advertisements lies with the parties. ... But very understandably that does not mean that the television and radio startions bear no responsibility whatsoever and can broadcast contents that are banned by the laws governing them. ... In their own interest the media should make sure in advance that they do not broadcast anything that can render them liable to prosecution, and interrupt live broadcasts if need be."
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All available articles from » Petr Uhl
Information - Denmark | Wednesday, 13. May 2009
In the daily newspaper Information Erik Boel, chairman of the Danish European Movement, accuses Denmark's public broadcaster Danmarks Radio (DR) of failing to give the European elections adequate coverage: » more
In the daily newspaper Information Erik Boel, chairman of the Danish European Movement, accuses Denmark's public broadcaster Danmarks Radio (DR) of failing to give the European elections adequate coverage: "It's scandalous that the DR has decided to give the European elections so little coverage. On the whole, the European Parliament as an institution barely receives any coverage. … And we also lack reporting on other EU countries. True, the DR has presented the Danish candidates, but not the European political parties of which the Danish politicians are members and which they represent. After all, the Danes don't all sit together in a Danish faction in the parliament - it seems the DR has failed to notice that this is a European election we're talking about. … Ultimately it comes down to a battle for democracy and for our influence on Europe's development. If we remain in ignorance because of lacking media coverage our democratic rights will [also] be undermined."
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Világgazdaság - Hungary | Tuesday, 12. May 2009
The business paper Világgazdaság writes about the Irish movement Libertas, which is making clever use of the possibilities offered by the Internet in the European elections: » more
The business paper Világgazdaság writes about the Irish movement Libertas, which is making clever use of the possibilities offered by the Internet in the European elections: "The European election campaign of the Irish Libertas movement, which takes a critical view of further EU integration, has caught the public eye not just for its habit of regularly posting untruths, but also because it knows how to make the best of the technology of the 21st century. ... Granted, the real problem isn't that the EU critic is a virtuoso on this new instrument. What really has people racking their brains is that the traditional political forces have apparently not taken up the challenge. ... Until now citizens have been primarily fobbed off in European affairs with cut and dried political slogans, while rational arguments are few and far between. This has functioned until now because there was nothing else to choose from. However in the era of Internet mobilisation there is now an alternative, and the Libertas movement is the first significant example."
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All available articles from » György Fóris
Evenimentul Zilei - Romania | Monday, 11. May 2009
Despite the growing importance of the Internet as an information channel MEPs have a scanty online presence, the daily Evenimentul Zilei writes: » more
Despite the growing importance of the Internet as an information channel MEPs have a scanty online presence, the daily Evenimentul Zilei writes: "In February 2005 Richard Corbett became the first MEP to set up his own blog. Today, more than four years later, the online medium remains little more than a subject for typical political rhetoric. Even when they come from Brussels or Strasbourg official statements sound just as wooden as they do here. … Even after the Internet proved its worth at least in one US election campaign only 11.5 percent of MEPs have a blog. … Yet according the website of the European Parliament 62 percent of voters have said they use the Internet to stay up to date on politics (twice as many as those who use print media, TV and radio). Some 57 percent believe social networks can be a useful tool in election campaigns."
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All available articles from » Sorin Tudor
Euroscepticism
The Independent - United Kingdom | Thursday, 4. June 2009
Today, Thursday, marks the start of the European elections in the UK. In view of persisting Euroscepticism in Britain, the liberal daily The Independent comments that the goal of ending Britain's unclear rapport with Europe has not been achieved: » more
Today, Thursday, marks the start of the European elections in the UK. In view of persisting Euroscepticism in Britain, the liberal daily The Independent comments that the goal of ending Britain's unclear rapport with Europe has not been achieved: "Relations, though, are as ambiguous as ever, ... . At times ministers have been constructively and energetically engaged, not least during the collapse of the financial markets last year. But far too often, Mr [Gordon] Brown [the British Prime Minister] and others have displayed an expedient surliness towards Europe, reinforcing voters' doubts instead of challenging them. They are partly culpable for the increase in popular hostility. Only the Liberal Democrats have consistently put the case for Europe ... . Like his recent predecessors, [party leader] Nick Clegg is unequivocal in his support for the EU. A strong vote for his party would show that parts of the electorate recognise the importance of Britain playing a positive role at the heart of Europe."
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Correio da Manhã - Portugal | Wednesday, 3. June 2009
Domingos Amaral explains in the daily Correio da Manhã why he plans to abstain from voting in the European elections: » more
Domingos Amaral explains in the daily Correio da Manhã why he plans to abstain from voting in the European elections: "After lengthy consideration of the matter I have come to the conclusion that there are only two really important things for me and for Europe: the euro and the base lending rate. … However neither of the two are stipulated by the European Parliament, and not even by the EU Commission but by the European Central Bank - a respected institution that has nothing to do with the European politicians who will be elected on Sunday. … In contrast to the US, where the elected president and Congress decide many matters of everyday life Europe has a non-elected president, a non-elected government and an elected parliament which has no say on important issues. … Since Europe doesn't allow me to vote on important matters I won't vote on unimportant ones. Europe and I are a good match."
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The Observer - United Kingdom | Monday, 25. May 2009
The British writer and columnist Will Hutton writes in the Sunday paper The Observer on the significance of the European elections, and wonders if it wouldn't be better for Britain to leave the EU: » more
The British writer and columnist Will Hutton writes in the Sunday paper The Observer on the significance of the European elections, and wonders if it wouldn't be better for Britain to leave the EU: "Along with the BNP, the opinion polls suggest that more than 50 percent of the vote will go to anti-EU parties. I'm not sure the British know the consequence of their vote, but a dynamic is in train that will lead to our exit from the EU. As a pro-European, I don't want this to happen, but I've begun to wonder whether it wouldn't be better for Europe. Only living outside the EU as the sceptics want - creating a politically diminished Britain fit for hedge funds, tax-avoiders and asset-strippers - is likely to convince the British majority that the option is a disaster. Meanwhile, the Europeans can deepen the EU, along the way empowering the European Parliament. When a Tory government leads an impoverished, embittered Britain back into the EU in 25 years' time, reality will have imposed political maturity. And elections for the European Parliament will be much more serious."
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Savon Sanomat - Finland | Monday, 11. May 2009
The EU concerns us all, writes Riikka Railimo, Finnish candidate in the European elections. In her article for the daily Savon Sanomat she tries to bring the EU closer to Finnish citizens: » more
The EU concerns us all, writes Riikka Railimo, Finnish candidate in the European elections. In her article for the daily Savon Sanomat she tries to bring the EU closer to Finnish citizens: "It's a fact that the EU decides matters that affect our everyday lives. The EU level has influence over the quality of the air we breathe, the safety of our children's toys, and even road taxes. These are definitely topics that are of interest for the majority of Finns. And these are also the problems and challenges that are fitting and make sense to tackle together with other countries. … If the EU is concerned with such everyday things, why is it so terribly alien to so many people? Wouldn't it be a good idea to make the direct impact of the EU more visible?"
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The European public sphere
Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 9. June 2009
"The lesson the [European] elections teach us is clear: » more
"The lesson the [European] elections teach us is clear: Europeans do not long for more integration", writes Petr Kamberský in the business paper Hospodářské Noviny. "Consequently there is no reason to strengthen the Union. ... There is no European nation. The United States of Europe is a dream born in the literary cafés which has nothing to do with reality in the foreseeable future. The only people who are on the move are students, a handful of business people and professionals. They commute back and forth over continents, because their unique services are everywhere in demand. The rest of Europe stays put at home, aside from the ten weekends a year it spends in Porto, Ljubljana or Prague, that is. However people's dislike for unity doesn't mean they have no interest in Europe and its four cornerstones. The problem is that decisions on the free movement of people, goods, services and capital are made by the undemocratic European Commission, not the Parliament. All Parliament does is pass one surperfluous resolution after the next."
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Friday, 29. May 2009
The European public sphere is blooming regardless of what anyone says, writes commentator Jens Bisky in the Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more
The European public sphere is blooming regardless of what anyone says, writes commentator Jens Bisky in the Süddeutsche Zeitung: "European topics - issues regarding cohabitation and news from the other member states - are more present in the national media than ever before. German Europeans can click onto perlentaucher.de or eurotopics.net and read about discussions in countries whose language they don't understand. Such portals whet your appetite for more. The web presences of EU institutions, however, could do with a good facelift. They need more sparkle, more forums and less dry instruction. Nevertheless there's so much information available that even with the best intentions you'll never be able to take it all in. The complaint about the lack of a European public sphere and the supposed disinterest in Europe above all bespeaks the weakness and diddling of Europe's politicians. Far too infrequently do they really address European issues: for example the restricitions on freedom of movement for many Eastern Europeans, the bureaucratic hassles you have to go through to get a residency permit or even a work permit, or the rights of labour migrants."
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De Standaard - Belgium | Monday, 18. May 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest is the most successful example of European cooperation, writes author Oscar van den Boogard in the daily De Standaard, noting that more can be achieved with "bad music" than with bad policies: » more
The Eurovision Song Contest is the most successful example of European cooperation, writes author Oscar van den Boogard in the daily De Standaard, noting that more can be achieved with "bad music" than with bad policies: "The ban on the homosexual demonstration last Saturday in Moscow shows that gays are still having to rebel strongly against a regime that does not accept them. Their sweet revenge was the song contest itself. One couldn't have conceived an event with more gay counter-culture and a greater audience. The Norwegian winner Alexander Rybak put it like this: 'Let's just say that the timing of the parade was not ideal. But this evening we had the greatest gay parade in the world here.' Can the song contest move voters to go to the ballot for the European elections in early June? Televoting is easy, but going to the election office is 'sooo difficult'. What exactly do the politicians mean when they talk about Europe? Only a boy with a violin who sings about a fairytale [Rybak with his song Fairytale] can really fire our imaginations."
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Die Welt - Germany | Monday, 18. May 2009
While Europe's politicians do nothing to stir our hearts in the run-up to the European elections, the Eurovision Song Contest is bringing Europe - and Europeans - together, Romanus Otte writes in the daily Die Welt: » more
While Europe's politicians do nothing to stir our hearts in the run-up to the European elections, the Eurovision Song Contest is bringing Europe - and Europeans - together, Romanus Otte writes in the daily Die Welt: "For me all the advertisements and posters for the European election are nothing but barefaced cheek. They say almost nothing about Europe, don't make any proposals for it, and above all elicit zero enthusiasm for Europe. ... Luckily some small consolation is offered by Eurovision. There are plenty of good reasons to turn up one's nose at the Song Contest. But once more Saturday's Grand Prix was also a deeply moving European celebration. The sea of flags waved by the boisterous crowd that had come together from the four corners of Europe reminded one of the Last Night of the Proms in London. There were singers from states I would have left out altogether if I'd been asked to name the countries of Europe. And they were a great reminder of how big Europe is, how peaceful, and how novel such a situation is at all."
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Diário de Notícias - Portugal | Monday, 8. June 2009
For João César das Neves Europe remains a successful project despite the large number of people who abstained from voting in the European elections. Writing in the Diário de Notícias he argues that to boost Europe's success politicians must realise that the economy is the only factor that links EU countries: » more
For João César das Neves Europe remains a successful project despite the large number of people who abstained from voting in the European elections. Writing in the Diário de Notícias he argues that to boost Europe's success politicians must realise that the economy is the only factor that links EU countries: "Europe is the last thing Europeans are worried about today. And this appears to have been the case yesterday [Sunday] too, given the low voter turnout. … Unfortunately European institutions form part of the indifference … rather than the success of the project. The great accomplishment of the founders of the European Economic Community was that they understood that the only thing that can unite different nationalities is the economy. And even today the economy is the only reason why neighbouring countries want to join the EU, and others copy them. … But this fundamental truth, which is confirmed with each new EU accession, is easily forgotten in EU cabinets. There people live the dream … they conceive the ideal. … And this is why despite the enormous level of abstention and the fiasco with the constitution and the [Lisbon] treaty the Eurocrats persist with their plans for a super-structure that no one understands. The actions of the EU leaders make Europe into a problem rather than the solution to the problems."
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