SET for Europe

During the elections to the European Parliament all 27 countries of the European Union cast their votes.

Meanwhile, the index of voting turnout during the elections to the European Parliament which were held in 27 EU members amounted to 43,1%, according to calculations of the TNS opinion & PE experts. Thus, the current elections to the European Parliament showed the record-breaking abstention rate. So far the record abstention rate, registered in 2004, amounted to 45% of absentees.

The lowest turnout was registered in Spain where it amounted to 24%, in Germany it was 42,5%, in France – 40,5%, in the Netherlands – 34,6%. According to preliminary data, the highest voting turnout is registered in Luxembourg (89%) and in Belgium, but in these two countries participation in elections is compulsory. High voting turnout was also registered in Ireland – according to preliminary data of the National Elections Committee, it exceeded 55%.

During a press-conference which took place in Brussels, the leaders of the European parliament fractions imposed responsibility for voters’ indifference on the economical crisis.

As the observers say, European Union is “still far from its citizens” who “cannot understand Brussels’ bureaucracy and do not feel they are able to influence the decisions which are taken on the European level”.

One more tendency of the past elections was the high results shown by extreme right, populist and anti-European parties which are already confirmed in Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Hungary, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovakia.

Such parties as Girt Vilders’ Party of Freedom (The Netherlands) which gained 17% of votes, strengthen their positions. This party speaks out against Islam as religion and became famous for its slogan “Europe for the Christians”.

Major success marked the results of the trio of radical and populist Flemish parties – Vlams belang, Dedeker List and New Flemish Alliance.

According to preliminary results, in Sweden the elections to the European Parliament were won by the Pirate Party which got 7,4% of the votes. Followers of this party advocate free distribution of intellectual property over the Internet. Within the 18-30 age group, the ‘intellectual pirates’ are supported by 19% of the voters.