2009 European elections

[Aontan 0]

From tomorrow (4 June) until Sunday (7 June), countries across the European Union will go to the polls to elect the 736 MEPs that will make up the next European Parliament and represent half a billion people. Final results should be known on Sunday night.

In some countries local, regional or even general elections, as well as referenda, will also take place at the same time.

Most MEPs are from national parties that form pan-European parties in the Parliament, and the main groupings are the EPP-ED (Christian Democrats, 288 seats), PES (Social Democrats, 216 seats), ALDE/ADLE (Liberals, 99 seats), UEN (National Conservatives, 44 seats), Greens/EFA (Environmentalists / Regionalists, 43 seats), GUE/NGL (Democratic Socialists / Communists / Eco-socialists, 41 seats), IND/DEM (Eurosceptics, 22 seats). There are also some non-party ("non-iscrit", 30 seats) members and a few new parties, such as Libertas.

Turnout in European elections is usually quite low in most countries (compared to national elections), and little is expected to change - although the EPP could lose their status as the largest party to the PES, especially if Britain's Conservative Party leave the grouping to form a new one. There are also predictions that far-right parties may gain some seats, such as Britain's BNP or Austria's BZÖ. Due to the economic crisis, it is also unsurprising that elections in many countries are being fought more on national issues, rather than European issues.

The official website for the elections can be found here.

Voting  in  the  European  Parliament  elections

Monday, 1 June 2009

Ireland heads to the polls on 5 June

The European Union parliament has long had the image of being a gravy-train but an EU election is no picnic.

The voting system is as complex as the 27-nation EU is varied. The election for the 736 lawmakers takes four days and there will be weeks of bargaining afterwards to settle the assembly's top jobs.

Voting starts on Thursday in Britain and the Netherlands. Ireland holds its election on the following day, the Czech Republic on 5 and 6 June, and Slovakia Latvia, Malta and Cyprus vote on 6 June.

France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the other 15 countries in the EU all hold their elections on the Sunday.

The first reliable forecasts will come out about 9pm (Irish time) on the night of 7 June.

Each country uses its own preferred voting system - Ireland will use PR-STV. (For more on PR-STV click here)

While any EU citizen can stand as a candidate or vote in any EU country where he or she is resident and registered on the electoral list, rules such as the minimum age for voting changes from country to country.

There were 785 deputies in the old assembly. The Nice Treaty ordered the cutback but this could be only temporary. If the Lisbon Treaty is ever ratified by every member the number will go up again to 754.

Each country's representation is roughly in line with its population.

Malta, the smallest member, has five deputies. Germany, the biggest, has 99. Britain, France and Italy have 72 each, while Poland and Spain elect 50 each. One of the big unknowns is how the extra 18 deputies will be shared out, if the Lisbon Treaty comes into force.

The first meeting of the new assembly will be on 14-16 July in Strasbourg.

It will have to elect a new Parliament president to take charge of the assembly for the first half of its five year term.

As the centre-right bloc is expected to gain the upper hand in the election, their candidates, former Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, and Italian Euro deputy Mario Mauro, a close ally of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, are favourites.

One of their first duties will also be to approve the European Commission President nominated by an EU summit at the end of June.

José Manuel Barroso, the former Portuguese Prime Minister, is widely expected to get a second term.

Story from RTÉ News:

http://www.rte.ie/news/elections/stories/2009/0601/voteguide.html

quote>

[Ntq€310 1]

Hmm. It will be very interesting to see what parties, or what groups win in these, and form what country.

[toxicpiano 125]

I'm doing the count on Sunday.

This will be a disaster for the labour party I imagine.

[Boggy1 45]

I wish I was old enough to vote in these elections (and the local Government elections that are happening at the same time in the UK).

Unfortunately, the UK Parliament is quite literally falling to pieces, with all the major parties involved in large-scale widespread scandals, and confidence in the Prime Minister and his Government has reached an unprecedented low. I really fear that this means that far right parties like the British National Party WILL get a strong footing here. When people loose confidence, they tend to vote to the far right.

Over my dead body is the BNP getting into Parliament. I mean that.

[toxicpiano 125]

I'm voting libertas. Tories haven't made up their mind on what they want from europe, so they won't get my vote.

[Aontan 0]

Originally posted by: toxicpiano

I'm voting libertas. Tories haven't made up their mind on what they want from europe, so they won't get my vote.quote>

Interesting you should mention Libertas, an unusual story came out about them just tonight here:

Libertas  reveals  new  Wiesenthal  alliance

Wednesday, 3 June 2009 21:36

Libertas has admitted issuing in error a statement in which one of its candidates called the Simon Wiesenthal Centre 'beneath contempt'.

This evening, the party's press office said the statement, attributed to Dublin European Parliament candidate Caroline Simons, had not been approved and had been sent out in error.

Caroline Simons and Libertas tonight said that 'a statement was released earlier today by a member of the Irish Libertas staff which contained untruths'.

The controversy follows criticism by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre of some Libertas candidates.

In response, party leader Declan Ganley said Libertas would work with the Centre to combat racism and anti-semitism in the European Parliament.

Story from RTÉ News:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0603/euroelection.html

quote>

Another candidate (in Ireland) has also said that internal EU borders should be closed, something that is in clear violation of citizens' freedom of movement - one of the union's founding principles. 

[EmergentFungus 29]

Anything that gets Brussels away from the UK!

I would vote, but I dodge council tax and therefore cannot vote.

[Meg 368]

You lose your right to vote if your taxes aren't up to date?

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: Aontan

Originally posted by: toxicpiano

I'm voting libertas. Tories haven't made up their mind on what they want from europe, so they won't get my vote.quote>

Interesting you should mention Libertas, an unusual story came out about them just tonight here:

Libertas  reveals  new  Wiesenthal  alliance

Wednesday, 3 June 2009 21:36

Libertas has admitted issuing in error a statement in which one of its candidates called the Simon Wiesenthal Centre 'beneath contempt'.

This evening, the party's press office said the statement, attributed to Dublin European Parliament candidate Caroline Simons, had not been approved and had been sent out in error.

Caroline Simons and Libertas tonight said that 'a statement was released earlier today by a member of the Irish Libertas staff which contained untruths'.

The controversy follows criticism by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre of some Libertas candidates.

In response, party leader Declan Ganley said Libertas would work with the Centre to combat racism and anti-semitism in the European Parliament.

Story from RTÉ News:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0603/euroelection.html quote>

Another candidate (in Ireland) has also said that internal EU borders should be closed, something that is in clear violation of citizens' freedom of movement - one of the union's founding principles. 

quote>

I am a jew what do I do now?!

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek

You lose your right to vote if your taxes aren't up to date?quote>

He dodges council tax. Which is, essentialy, property tax.

I woud infer that that is done by having it not officially registered that he lives where he does and, hence, he can't register to vote in his district since he lacks an official address there.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Craig91 12]

My God I hate Libertas. I;m glad here in Ireland Fianna F

[Yoman3 5]

Are these considered important in the UK, because most Danes that I know consider them a a worthless waste of time. You should take that statement with the knowledge however that most Danes I know are in venture capitalism, and probably don't like the idea of a political EU

[EmergentFungus 29]

Originally posted by: Duke87

Originally posted by: SkiGeek

You lose your right to vote if your taxes aren't up to date?quote>

He dodges council tax. Which is, essentialy, property tax.

I woud infer that that is done by having it not officially registered that he lives where he does and, hence, he can't register to vote in his district since he lacks an official address there.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

quote>

Yea, thats right. its so easy to jump from place to place renting and slip under the net. You wouldn't want to dodge income tax though. You'd be buggered!

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: Yoman3

Are these considered important in the UK, because most Danes that I know consider them a a worthless waste of time. You should take that statement with the knowledge however that most Danes I know are in venture capitalism, and probably don't like the idea of a political EU quote>

People should think it's important, seeing how many of our laws are made there. I think in the UK it's considered (like local elections) a test of public approval of the government (mainly for the reason that noone has really been talking about Europe at all in these elections, only about the disintegrating ruling party).

[TheQuiltedLlama 34]

Originally posted by: toxicpiano

Originally posted by: Yoman3

Are these considered important in the UK, because most Danes that I know consider them a a worthless waste of time. You should take that statement with the knowledge however that most Danes I know are in venture capitalism, and probably don't like the idea of a political EUquote>

People should think it's important, seeing how many of our laws are made there. I think in the UK it's considered (like local elections) a test of public approval of the government (mainly for the reason that noone has really been talking about Europe at all in these elections, only about the disintegrating ruling party).quote>

It is unfortunate, however, that we are not electing body that makes legislation in the EU. All the European Parliament does is approve legislation created by the (unelected) European Commission, some laws can even be passed without approval of the Parliament. The Parliament also has no power to make amendments, only to vote yes or no on proposed laws.

Of course, the Lisbon treaty would have gone some way towards fixing this, but 'no' campaigners insisted on portraying the treaty as giving people less say in the EU. I find it strange, considering one of the frequent complaints from Eurosceptics about the EU are that it is bureaucratic and undemocratic. Yet when the Lisbon treaty, and before it the European Constitution, seek to address these problems these same people are out in force campaigning for it to be rejected.

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Duke87 is right, in order to vote you have to register your address. Then you pay council tax, however you won't be able to avoid it forever, by renting and keep moving. They will eventually catch up with you then you'll get back taxed.

Penalty for not paying is imprisonment.

British position is Labour, Liberal and Greens (left wing) and Libertas, in favour of being in European Union and greater involvement in a federal europe.

Conserveative in favour of Being in European Union but not a federal europe.

UKIP, (United Knigdom Independence Party), BNP (British National Party) and others in favour of leaving European Union and self government.

Most British people tend to vere towards the later two positions, which is why the Labour party will not allow the promised referendom on the European Constitution/Lisbon Treaty. The Labour party say they are compleatly different documents, where as the people who wrote the constitution say the Lisbon Treaty coveres 90% of the constitution. The two main bodies are the european Commission who makes laws and the european Parliment who ratifies the Laws.

This election is for the Parliment, the commision is unelected.

French people and Dutch people voted NO to the Constitution, Irish people voted NO to the Lisbon Treaty.

British people were promised then denied a Vote by the Labour government.

ALL countries must ratify the treaty for it to take effect.

The powers who wrote them, want the people to vote again (and again until they get their way).

In 1973 the British people were conned into voting yes  to the Common Market, which was supposed to be a trading union similar to EFTA (European Free Trade Area) which we were previously members. We were never told about the increasing federalism that was on the agenda.

Britain and Germany pay more into the EU than they get out. Every other country(25) gets more out than they pay in. Iceland now wants to join considering they are nearly bankrupt. Turkey also wants to join.

Some European countries (about 15) have ditched their own currencies if favour of the Euro. Others haven't including Britain. If the leftists win there is a danger they will take Britain into the Euro zone. The Conservatives have said they can NEVER see a time when it would be to our advantage to change from the Pound to the Euro. (A popular statement). The others of course want us out anyway. 

When there were 15 countries in the EU Britain was cinsidered a loner in view of it's different views on what Europe should be. However since enlargement to 25 then 27 we now have more support for some of our views. Also there is a difference between the political elite and the people.

[awake_78 0]

I don' t know what in other european countries is happening during this election period but In Greece none of the political parties said anything about Europe. They just mention their instate program. A lot of people including me will not vote as a protest for the political system (Scandals, statism, etc)

Is the same thing in the rest of the countries???

[TekindusT 3,809]

It's exactly the same, at least in Spain it is. I haven't heard a word from the two big parties about European policies. One says "Oh, the other has made a terrible job in national politics" and the other says "Don't vote them, they are right-wing!".

Staying at home is not the solution for the bad politics. The solution is just blank voting (don't know if is this the correct expression in English) or voting another smaller party. There are a lot of them, although they don't have the number of votes to be represented, each vote that not goes for the two big parties is a vote for democracy. Now, it's your turn!

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Originally posted by: TekindusT

It's exactly the same, at least in Spain it is. I haven't heard a word from the two big parties about European policies. One says "Oh, the other has made a terrible job in national politics" and the other says "Don't vote them, they are right-wing!".

Staying at home is not the solution for the bad politics. The solution is just blank voting (don't know if is this the correct expression in English) or voting another smaller party. There are a lot of them, although they don't have the number of votes to be represented, each vote that not goes for the two big parties is a vote for democracy. Now, it's your turn!quote>

This is what the big parties are afraid of, people being so dishartened that they vote for the smaller parties as a protest vote.

[TheQuiltedLlama 34]

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Duke87 is right, in order to vote you have to register your address. Then you pay council tax, however you won't be able to avoid it forever, by renting and keep moving. They will eventually catch up with you then you'll get back taxed.

Penalty for not paying is imprisonment.

British position is Labour, Liberal and Greens (left wing) and Libertas, in favour of being in European Union and greater involvement in a federal europe. quote>

Libertas is arguable. They say they are not Euroscpetic and they do want to stay in the EU. But their position is closer to that of the Conservative Party, stay in the EU only as a free/common market area.

Conserveative in favour of Being in European Union but not a federal europe.

UKIP, (United Knigdom Independence Party), BNP (British National Party) and others in favour of leaving European Union and self government.

Most British people tend to vere towards the later two positions, which is why the Labour party will not allow the promised referendom on the European Constitution/Lisbon Treaty. The Labour party say they are compleatly different documents, where as the people who wrote the constitution say the Lisbon Treaty coveres 90% of the constitution. The two main bodies are the european Commission who makes laws and the european Parliment who ratifies the Laws.

This election is for the Parliment, the commision is unelected.quote>

I would argue that voters have been completely misinformed on the Lisbon Treaty and the Constitution. both would make the EU a less bureaucratic and more democratic institution. Yet all that we hear is that it will strip the UK of it's independence, of which I can see little evidence. With a media dominated by ill-formed euroscepticism there would never be a proper debate on such a referendum.

French people and Dutch people voted NO to the Constitution, Irish people voted NO to the Lisbon Treaty.

British people were promised then denied a Vote by the Labour government.

ALL countries must ratify the treaty for it to take effect.

The powers who wrote them, want the people to vote again (and again until they get their way).

In 1973 the British people were conned into voting yes  to the Common Market, which was supposed to be a trading union similar to EFTA (European Free Trade Area) which we were previously members. We were never told about the increasing federalism that was on the agenda.quote>

I fail to see how the British People were 'conned'. The EU has only strengthened the Common Market by making it far easier to do business and travel within the EU. As for the increasing federalism, I think it is perfectly acceptable that there is a political system, including elections, in place to oversee policy on a European level. Perhaps you would prefer to return to a system where there wasn't even a European Parliament to approve or reject on legislation from the Commission. Yes there are problems here,.The Parliament doesn't have anywhere enough power, as the only democratically elected European institution. Yet, whenever proposals are made to increase its powers, in relation to other European institutions, all we hear is cries of increasing federalism. Well, if more federalism means more democracy then I'm all in favour.

Britain and Germany pay more into the EU than they get out. Every other country(25) gets more out than they pay in. Iceland now wants to join considering they are nearly bankrupt. Turkey also wants to join.quote>

Of course they do. Britain and Germany are realitvly rich members of the EU. It is perfectly sensible that money is directed to the poorer areas of the European Union. In fact, the EU probably does a much better job of investing in the North of England, Scotland and Wales than our London centric government.

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Originally posted by: TheQuiltedLlama

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Duke87 is right, in order to vote you have to register your address. Then you pay council tax, however you won't be able to avoid it forever, by renting and keep moving. They will eventually catch up with you then you'll get back taxed.

Penalty for not paying is imprisonment.

British position is Labour, Liberal and Greens (left wing) and Libertas, in favour of being in European Union and greater involvement in a federal europe. quote>

Libertas is arguable. They say they are not Euroscpetic and they do want to stay in the EU. But their position is closer to that of the Conservative Party, stay in the EU only as a free/common market area.

OK accepted, don't know too much about them, they wont be getting my vote.

Conserveative in favour of Being in European Union but not a federal europe.

UKIP, (United Knigdom Independence Party), BNP (British National Party) and others in favour of leaving European Union and self government.

Most British people tend to vere towards the later two positions, which is why the Labour party will not allow the promised referendom on the European Constitution/Lisbon Treaty. The Labour party say they are compleatly different documents, where as the people who wrote the constitution say the Lisbon Treaty coveres 90% of the constitution. The two main bodies are the european Commission who makes laws and the european Parliment who ratifies the Laws.

This election is for the Parliment, the commision is unelected.quote>

I would argue that voters have been completely misinformed on the Lisbon Treaty and the Constitution. both would make the EU a less bureaucratic and more democratic institution. Yet all that we hear is that it will strip the UK of it's independence, of which I can see little evidence. With a media dominated by ill-formed euroscepticism there would never be a proper debate on such a referendum.

European Flag, National Anthem, Currency, Army, Government, all with no vetos a guarenteed 50 year position on the unelected commision. Nothing there that I can see as in my interest.

French people and Dutch people voted NO to the Constitution, Irish people voted NO to the Lisbon Treaty.

British people were promised then denied a Vote by the Labour government.

ALL countries must ratify the treaty for it to take effect.

The powers who wrote them, want the people to vote again (and again until they get their way).

In 1973 the British people were conned into voting yes  to the Common Market, which was supposed to be a trading union similar to EFTA (European Free Trade Area) which we were previously members. We were never told about the increasing federalism that was on the agenda.quote>

I fail to see how the British People were 'conned'. The EU has only strengthened the Common Market by making it far easier to do business and travel within the EU. As for the increasing federalism, I think it is perfectly acceptable that there is a political system, including elections, in place to oversee policy on a European level.

 

Clearly not what most people want who have had a choice so far.

Perhaps you would prefer to return to a system where there wasn't even a European Parliament to approve or reject on legislation from the Commission.

 

I would prefer to return to a system where elected National governments ran their countries. NOT the unelected european commission which I would abandon immediately.

Yes there are problems here,.The Parliament doesn't have anywhere enough power, as the only democratically elected European institution. Yet, whenever proposals are made to increase its powers, in relation to other European institutions, all we hear is cries of increasing federalism. Well, if more federalism means more democracy then I'm all in favour.

Euro Flag etc (previous answer) unelected commission is NOT democracy. British people DO NOT want a 'United States of Europe'.

Britain and Germany pay more into the EU than they get out. Every other country(25) gets more out than they pay in. Iceland now wants to join considering they are nearly bankrupt. Turkey also wants to join.quote>

Of course they do. Britain and Germany are realitvly rich members of the EU. It is perfectly sensible that money is directed to the poorer areas of the European Union.

 

Whilst British people work long hours to live and southern europeans have siestas then say they are poor and we should pay them.

In fact, the EU probably does a much better job of investing in the North of England, Scotland and Wales than our London centric government.

quote>

North of England, Scotland and Wales get too much money from the London centric government whereas the deprived areas of the south are expected to fend for themselves. Scotland was bankrupt until the English bailed them out.

[Aontan 0]

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

  Whilst British people work long hours to live and southern europeans have siestas then say they are poor and we should pay them.

quote>

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Originally posted by: Aontan

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

  Whilst British people work long hours to live and southern europeans have siestas then say they are poor and we should pay them.

quote>

quote>

Even worse that those europeans want to reduce our right to work the hours we choose.

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: TheQuiltedLlama

It is unfortunate, however, that we are not electing body that makes legislation in the EU. All the European Parliament does is approve legislation created by the (unelected) European Commission, some laws can even be passed without approval of the Parliament. The Parliament also has no power to make amendments, only to vote yes or no on proposed laws.

Of course, the Lisbon treaty would have gone some way towards fixing this, but 'no' campaigners insisted on portraying the treaty as giving people less say in the EU. I find it strange, considering one of the frequent complaints from Eurosceptics about the EU are that it is bureaucratic and undemocratic. Yet when the Lisbon treaty, and before it the European Constitution, seek to address these problems these same people are out in force campaigning for it to be rejected.

quote>

This is one of the reasons why I voted Lib Dem today.

[TheQuiltedLlama 34]

Originally posted by: Merlin of Flyote

Even worse that those europeans want to reduce our right to work the hours we choose.

quote>

It's amazing they find the time, really, with all these siestas they're constantly taking.

[Meg 368]

When I think of the European Union, it does seem somewhat analogous to a "United States of Europe" since that is the model that I'm used to.  The colonies were separate and joined to become one nation.  The European countries have been separate and joined to become whatever the European Union is.

Major difference, of course, is that the colonies were fairly new and European countries have had their own identities for centuries.

Then there is that "whatever the European Union is" part of the equation.  I don't claim to understand the nuances of what it is and what it wants to be.  What's this about an unelected commission with guarenteed 50 year positions?  What is the function of this commission?

 

In the United States of America, there is still an ongoing debate about what should happen at the state level and what should happen at the federal level.  I suspect that the debate in Europe will continue about what should happen at the national level and what should happen at the EU level.

[saltandsauce 0]

Britain and Germany pay more into the EU than they get out. Every other country(25) gets more out than they pay in. Iceland now wants to join considering they are nearly bankrupt. Turkey also wants to join.quote>

Of course they do. Britain and Germany are realitvly rich members of the EU. It is perfectly sensible that money is directed to the poorer areas of the European Union. In fact, the EU probably does a much better job of investing in the North of England, Scotland and Wales than our London centric government.

quote>

[Boggy1 45]

I agree with TheQuiltedLlama. Wales for instance gets a LOT of money from the EU, because we are classified as an Urgent Attention Area or something. Far more than Westminster gets.

I kind of agree with the sentiments that 40 or so years ago we did have a national referendum, which promised that the European Trading Area would be just that; an economic trading body. It's definitely evolved from that; for better or for worse.

A part of me wants unity. I think that as a united Europe we have a far stronger voice; rivalling that of the United States and China. The economic, climatic, criminal, and other large-scale things all greatly benefit from the existence of the European Union and the international cooperation that it promotes.

But another part of me thinks that independence is a good thing, and that realistically the EU cannot possibly represent and deal with every ideological framework within each country. Europe consists of around 50 distinct cultures. It's damn hard to make them all coexist relatively peacefully.

[fukuda 351]

Whilst British people work long hours to live and southern europeans have siestas then say they are poor and we should pay them.quote>

Even worse that those europeans want to reduce our right to work the hours we choose.quote>

Do you have an idea of what you're talking about or it's just stereotyping?

[Odainsaker 2,137]

Originally posted by: TheQuiltedLlama

It is unfortunate, however, that we are not electing body that makes legislation in the EU. All the European Parliament does is approve legislation created by the (unelected) European Commission, some laws can even be passed without approval of the Parliament. The Parliament also has no power to make amendments, only to vote yes or no on proposed laws.

Of course, the Lisbon treaty would have gone some way towards fixing this, but 'no' campaigners insisted on portraying the treaty as giving people less say in the EU. I find it strange, considering one of the frequent complaints from Eurosceptics about the EU are that it is bureaucratic and undemocratic. Yet when the Lisbon treaty, and before it the European Constitution, seek to address these problems these same people are out in force campaigning for it to be rejected.quote>

It's not that strange...the point is not to prod the EU to become more palatable, but to oppose the EU at any opportunity for more narrow political gain.  It's the same reason the old Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassingated all those years ago...its not just that he was heir of the hated Hapsburg monarchy, but that he dallied with reformist sentiments that would have rendered moot the revolutionary movements.  He had to go, or citizens would be less inclined to support the opposition struggle and the revolutionary groups would lose their powerbase.  Thankfully, the EU is less cumbersomely enstrangled than the old kaleidescopic Austro-Hungarian Empire or its bizarrely envisioned United States of Austria, but there are lessons to be learned in that bewildering experience as a polyglot goulash and its messy pressurecooker aftermath.