Main focus of Thursday, June 4, 2009

Europe votes

Today, Thursday, the elections to the European Parliament begin in the UK and the Netherlands. Polls close on Sunday, when the citizens of all 27 EU member states will have cast their vote. However enthusiasm is muted.

The Independent - United Kingdom

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." (04/06/2009)

» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » Elections, » United Kingdom, » Europe

NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands

The European elections also start today in the Netherlands, another country where Euroscepticism runs high. NRC Handelsblad writes that in view of the economic crisis negative national reflexes can be expected across Europe: "[Despite the criticism] the reverse side of the medallion is often overlooked. The voters are surrounded by Europe. Prosperity has increased markedly as a result of the improved division of labour, which in turn is a result of integration. ... The borders have for the most part disappeared, and the majority of Europeans pay with a young, successful European currency. Many of these advantages have now become so taken for granted that they're no longer even seen or appreciated. Unrightly so. The Europeans are going to need each other badly in a world where economic power relations are rapidly shifting. That goes for energy supply and the environment right through to the preservation of our own blend of free market and solidarity. ... Europe doesn't have a quick fix for all of these problems. But at the end of the day it is and remains the only possible answer. ... It is now time to see Europe as it was baptised in 1957 with the Treaty of Rome: as a community." (04/06/2009)

» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Elections, » Netherlands

Correio da Manhã - Portugal

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." (03/06/2009)

» full article (external link, Portuguese)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Elections, » Europe
All available articles from » Domingos Amaral

Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany

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?" (04/06/2009)

» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » EU Constitution, » Elections, » Europe
All available articles from » Thomas Kirchner

» To the complete press review of Thursday, June 4, 2009