Europe Votes

 

Since Thursday the 27 countries of the European Union have been voting their MEPs who will represent them in the new European Parliament. The elections started on Thursday and will finish tomorrow. The vote is held as follows :

Thursday June 4 : UK and the Netherlands.

Friday June 5 : Ireland, Czech Rupublic

Saturday June 6: Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Italy

Sunday June 7: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

The election is not compulsory- unlike our national elections -  but I decided to cast my vote for the party and the people who I think will best represent our interests in the European Union.

The 736 seats in the European parliament are up for grabs. Partial results of the Dutch vote indicate that the party led by right-wing MP Geert Wilders has made gains. Mr Wilders is facing prosecution over anti-Islamic statements. The results suggest that his Freedom Party (PVV) has come second in the polls and will get four of the 25 Dutch seats in the assembly. The European Commission has asked for an explanation from Dutch officials, who broke EU rules by releasing partial results early. Results are not supposed to be announced until polls close across Europe on Sunday night. Britain voted on Thursday. Elections there were also held in some areas for local councils. The results of both UK polls are keenly awaited to see how they might affect the national political scene, following weeks of turmoil over MPs' expenses claims. In Ireland, where the elections were held on Friday, the vote is seen as a key test ahead of a second referendum on the EU's controversial Lisbon Treaty, expected in October.

Comments

[Alexia M]

I feel very concerned about the future of my country after these elections. I thought I was very lucky to live in a country with so much freedom: freedom of the individual, freedom of speech, sex freedom, freedom of financial and natural resources, freedom in everything. And where does this freedom leads us? Of course I was furious when I saw on the tv that my country broke the rules of the EU to release results. Just for one crazy man and his followers!National politics! That's all the EU elections are about! Who thinks about the recession ? who thinks about the average dutch and his future in the EU ?

[Anastasia]

Alexia, I share your feelings and relate to them only too well as my country has often been the target of so much political manipulation to such an extent that justice was never done just for one crazy man as you say. I believe that too much freedom can lead to either chaos or arbitrary decisions by some politicians. In my opinion, most politicians would rather care about their own welfare rather that of their people. Being an optimist, I look forward to a brighter Europe.

[Lisa A]

I decided to not vote for the new eu parliament because I don't see any benefit from them for my country. The financial crises has very much affect Italy. People were lost their jobs from one day to another and are people who have many mouths to feed in their family. What did the EU for Italy? Nothing! So why vote?

[Anastasia]

In my opinion, Lisa, there are very good reasons that prompted me to vote. Resolutions adopted by the EU Assembly can be of great national importance and many countries can benefit from them, such as the resolution on chemicals and human rights. I personally do not expect the EU to solve my country's problems but I strongly feel my country, like any member country, can contribute to a better and more active united Europe.

[Andy]

The European Parliament has a considerable influence on the lives of EU citizens, whether they realise it or not. EU laws apply in all member states, and most laws passed by national parliaments are drafted in response to European directives (framework laws that have to be transposed into national law within a certain timescale).
The parliament is the only directly elected body in the European Union. The members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are there to represent citizens, as legislation is debated, amended, and either rejected or approved.

[Christina]

The election in Greece took place today but I did not go to vote. Not because of our holiday weekend, but because I feel deeply disappointed with the Greek politicians and with what is happening in Greece today. Anastasia, did you know that on Thursday at Pireus there were people from various parties selling tickets at half price to people who needed to take the ferry in order to go to their homeland and vote? Those were coded tickets issued by political parties! Not voting is also an opinion and a stance.

[Walid]

Habebti.
What a coincidence this morning Sunday the 7th we had the election of the Parliament members till now no news for the results .I wish who ever come to rule will be for the goodness of the country and the country people NOT for the goodness of them selves and their people.
I did vote I did my National duty by expressing my vote even if the ones I vote to didn't win but it is a matter of sharing the national service for the goodness of the country.
We as people all over the world wont ask these deputy members for miracles but we ask them for a good rule for the country and the goodness of the people.God Bless.
With Love Walid.

[Lakis Ioannou]

First of all, let me congratulate you on the video which is a brief summary of what the European Parliament is. However, I feel very disappointed at the very low turn-out in Cyprus at the Euro elections. I think the date and day were wrong as this was our long holiday weekend which we were all looking forward to. Abstaining is a stance when this is a mature choice as it sends messages to politicians. But in Cyprus, the very low turn-out - 41,12% - was not a mature choice! It was asking people to partly sacrifice a long weekend which started on Friday! Hence the lowest turn-out was observed in Nicosia - away from our luring beaches! On the other hand, most Greek Cypriots just like most other Europeans have no idea how much the EU Parliament can help solve problems while contributing to a more efficient United Europe. I believe that if Thursday was chosen for us to vote the abstainers would be reduced to half. Yet, choosing to abstain, just because of the holiday weekend is denying the most valuable right democracy offers - the right to cast your vote and possibly make the difference.

[Constantinos]

I spent our long holiday weekend in Galaxidi with the kids.We set off at 4 am on Friday morning to avoid the rush hour and the traffic jams and came back on Sunday afternoon just in time to vote. I strongly feel that the right to vote is the essence of democracy so I'd certainly not abstain! I can't say I'm thrilled with the Greek results, though. Yet, like you, Anastasia, I also look forward to a better, stronger and more united Europe.