EU Voters Lurch to the Right
The European Parliament elections saw leftists soundly defeated while the right surged ahead.
Socialists and other left-wing political parties in Europe suffered humiliating defeats in continent-wide voting for the European Union’s parliament. After four days of polling that ended on June 7, voters in almost all of the EU’s 27 member states supported conservative parties, a clear sign that center-left parties have been unable to offer politically plausible solutions to Europe’s worst economic crisis since World War II. Indeed, conservative parties across Europe said the results vindicated their unwillingness to spend more money on company bailouts and fiscal incentives to stimulate faltering economies.
Voters were selecting 736 deputies for the European Parliament, an institution with ever-growing powers. According to provisional figures, the center-right emerged as the clear winner, taking 265 seats, compared with 184 for socialists, 83 for centrist liberals, 50 for the Greens and 36 for the radical left. Overall, some 380 million people were eligible to vote, but the turnout was a record low 43 percent. Although some politicians correctly attributed the low voter turnout to growing ambivalence about the European Parliament, these elections were all about what voters think about their own leaders and politicians at the national level.
In all six of Europe’s largest countries — Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain — voters rejected socialist claims that the global financial crisis represented a “crisis of capitalism” that justified a turn to the left. In Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s center-left Labour Party registered its worst showing in any British election since World War I. Labour came in third place with just 16 percent of the vote, behind the right-wing eurosceptic United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) in second place, and the opposition Conservatives in first place. The disastrous results are likely to increase calls from within the Labour Party for Brown either to resign or to call early elections.
In France, the governing center-right party Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), led by President Nicolas Sarkozy, increased its share of the vote by 12 percent over 2004, with the socialist opposition, which dominated the vote in 2004, just barely maintaining second place.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s alliance of center-right parties suffered some losses (it won 37.8 percent, down from 44.5 percent five years ago), but still maintained a clear lead over her left-wing rivals. Indeed, the Social Democrats (SPD) suffered a historic defeat by getting only 20.8 percent of the vote, the party’s worst showing since World War II in any nationwide election. The outcome may boost Merkel’s hopes of replacing the current left-right “grand coalition” with a center-right government in general elections set for September 2009.
In Italy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom Party (PDL) held a two-digit lead over the center-left opposition Democratic Party (PD) despite a deep recession and a scandal over allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a young model. Berlusconi’s coalition ally, the anti-immigrant Northern League, enjoyed a boost in support with 10.9 percent of the votes.
In Spain, the center-right conservative Popular Party (PP) drew its highest ever support in a European parliamentary election. With 42.2 percent of votes, it won two more seats than the ruling Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), a clear sign that Spanish voters are worried about Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s inability to stem rising unemployment, which is forecast to reach 20 percent in 2010.
And in Poland, the ruling Civic Platform party won 45.2 per cent of the vote, and 24 of the country’s 50 seats, a vote of confidence for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-business policies.
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Soeren Kern is Senior Analyst for Transatlantic Relations at the Madrid-based Grupo de Estudios Estratégicos / Strategic Studies Group.
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29 Comments
1. Myno:According to the WSJ, the EU’s “Center-Right” parties and governments are more to the left than Americans are used to. For example, the French gov’t is C-R, but nationalized companies much like Obama has done here in the USA. So it is good news that the Socialists did poorly, but the C-R parties slid too far to the left in order to get those votes.
Jun 9, 2009 - 1:38 am 2. LeighB:I hope the elections in 2010 and 2012 in the USA follow the same trend. Goodbye Democratic majority?! Let’s pull the plug on the teleprompter.
Jun 9, 2009 - 3:52 am 3. sdraio:I really can’t see why Lisbon would turn the EU into a “bureaucratic superstate”, or why would you talk about European “democracy”, when you aknowledge that the treaty is going to give even more power to the EU parliament, elected directly by the people.
and please, please, stop with this stuff about European “elites” and the story about how the people would refuse the treaty with a referendum. we all know that referendums are always turned into a vote for or against the current NATIONAL government.
Take the Irish example: people voted “no” because the highly unpopular government, during economic crisis, said “vote yes”. and the Irish people said no to more Europe despite the fact that the Irish economic boom of the last decade was mainly due to EU funds, market, policies.
stop populism.
Jun 9, 2009 - 3:55 am 4. Class Clown:Now, considering that these are European political parties, are they actually “center-right”, or are they just slightly less left-wing than the center-left but still mostly left of center?
Jun 9, 2009 - 3:57 am 5. Blackwater:Europe has seen and experienced our future and they don’t like it. It should serve as a warning to Americans who are being bullrushed to the left under the Obama regime.
Jun 9, 2009 - 4:13 am 6. Tony R:Sdraio said:
“Take the Irish example: people voted “no” because the highly unpopular government, during economic crisis, said “vote yes”. and the Irish people said no to more Europe despite the fact that the Irish economic boom of the last decade was mainly due to EU funds, market, policies.”
As an Irishman who voted “no” to the Lisbon Treaty I have to say that your comment is wrong. In fact the 3 main political parties (the Government and the two main opposition parties) in Ireland all called for a “yes” vote (as did all the media outlets) and still the electorate voted “no”.
The only two parties who wanted a “no” vote on Lisbon (Sinn Fein and Libertas) were hammered in the EU elections this week which proves that their call for a “no” vote just happened to coincide with the will of the Irish people on the EU referendum and not that they played a vital role as suggested in this article.
I and anyone I know who voted “no” to Lisbon did so because the EU high command pissed all over democracy by not allowing any of the electorates in any other member state to vote. Ireland was vilified for their vote but I’d bet my life savings that the same result would have come back from the majority of EU coutries if democracy was given a chance.
The EU can f**k off and take their money with them as far as I am concerned. What is it they say in New Hampshire….”Live Free or Die” isn’t it?
The re-vote on Lisbon in October 2009 is not a sure thing believe me.
Jun 9, 2009 - 4:58 am 7. Meryl:5.Blackwater
“It should serve as a warning to Americans who are being bullrushed to the left under the Obama regime.” I agree…but I wonder:
How much of obama’s momentum comes from a mass of unthinking people who elected him just because “he’s wonderful”… That mass of people not only couldn’t care less what’s happening in Europe; they probably aren’t even aware of the European Union as an political entity.
Nothing will adequately serve as a warning if the people whose house is burning down are deaf and blind and have forgotten where they live.
The single scariest photo-memory I have of him from his campaign is that arrogant, silent, nose-in-the-air pose on the stage all alone in Chicago the night of the election. It reminded me so much of Michael Jackson standing mid-stage at the halftime Super Bowl show with his fist thrust into the air–for about 5 minutes–”receiving the adulation of the crowd”.
The mass of people that obama uses for influence and support are not reading newspapers, following political events in Europe or THINKING about the need to be warned about anything.
The inability and unwillingness to THINK on the part of such a high % of our population is a huge problem. It makes me wonder how we turn the herd from going off the cliff, especially since we don’t plan to use lies and manipulation but actually expect people to THINK.
Jun 9, 2009 - 5:11 am 8. sdraio:Tony R:
thank you for your clarifications on the Irish vote, I didn’t remember (knew?) about the opposition’s position.
however, your post seems to prove my point, which is: referendums on the EU are not a very good thing, because the vote would be highly distorted by the national situation and dynamics, the economic situation of the moment, and the fact that the EU is a very complicate structure (it would be easy to misrepresent the situation for politicians willing to blame the EU for their own interest).
for example, there is no EU “high command”; that is the EU council, formed by the head of governments, and each of them has a veto power! even small belgium can stop a policy if it’s against its national interest. more democratic than that…
and it’s not the EU who said “no referendum” (they have no power to do that): each government made its own decision.
Jun 9, 2009 - 7:39 am 9. sheesh:“We should listen to Europe!” . . . “We don’t care what Europe says!” . . .
Yet again, your principles prove relentlessly situational. You don’t stand for anything other than self-promotion.
Here’s the next one . . .
“Obama has already failed . . . he ha destroyed our country” . . . “The recessions was going to end anyway.”
Mark my words.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:01 am 10. njcommuter:That sentiment was infused into American politics very early, and one powerful exponent was Patrick Henry. His father hailed from Scotland rather than Ireland, but I hope you won’t mind if I say we were glad to hold the sentiment until you needed it.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:31 am 11. Tony R:Sdraio
“….however, your post seems to prove my point, which is: referendums on the EU are not a very good thing, because the vote would be highly distorted by the national situation and dynamics, the economic situation of the moment.”
That is the whole point! I am Irish not EU’ish. Of course my country comes first. Are you suggesting that nobody in Europe should be able to vote on issues that will have a serious impact on the direction their country takes in the future?
“….and it’s not the EU who said “no referendum” (they have no power to do that): each government made its own decision.”
Your faith in this EU “hands-off” approach is touching but deluded. 3 years ago the French and Dutch said “no” to a slightly earlier version of the EU constitution but this time around they weren’t even allowed to vote in case they “gave the wrong answer”. The Irish people voted and said “no” to Lisbon. The Irish “no” vote is being ignored and a re-vote is being called – and no doubt we’ll be hit over the head with scare tactics on the economic ramifications of another “no” vote by this fluffy benign institution.
Nobody I know of is against the EU – Ireland has been a willing member of the EEC/EU since 1974 and it has been of great benefit to us no doubt. Does that mean we want to relinquish control of our country to faceless bureaucrats in Belguim driven by the European powers like Germany, France, etc? Not bloody likely.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:51 am 12. WhyamInotsurprised?:The most prominent thing missing in the European debate was …..
you guessed it, “It was Bush’s fault!” Imagine, Europeans actually held their own politicians responsible for “their’ mess.
It won’t be long before the idiot masses in America, those who don’t even bother to vote, will be screaming bloody murder! The honeymoon is over for Our Dear Leader even though he keeps blaming Bush, talking about “jobs he has saved,” and accelerating bailouts to rescue the economy.
The Chrysler bond holders are to be applauded for not taking government crap and fighting back through the courts. The Supreme Court holding off sale of Chrysler will rectify the thug tactics being used in the Pimp House. Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel!
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:10 am 13. Bilgeman:Kern:
“In all six of Europe’s largest countries — Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain — voters rejected socialist claims that the global financial crisis represented a “crisis of capitalism” that justified a turn to the left.”
Awwww, gee…you don’t think it was because the Euro Right adopted a “Big Tent” political philosophy, do ya?
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:19 am 14. sdraio:Tony R:
“Are you suggesting that nobody in Europe should be able to vote on issues that will have a serious impact on the direction their country takes in the future?”
I see your point. but my answer is…sometimes not! I think on matters such as international treaties people should not have a say, only parliaments should. I don’t know if I can be clear in english so I’ll make an example.
years ago 2 US Nato planes killed 34 people in a accident and the pilots were quickly sent to the US to avoid justice. national outrage. I am sure if the following day some communist proposed a referendum to take Italy out of Nato, we would be out of Nato now. Would that be democratic? yes. smart? no! international relations decisions can not be taken on the spot. that’s the parliament job. if you’re against EU integration, vote for an anti european party!
I see your worries about being controlled by french and germans (i am too). however,I think gemrans and french would be even more influencial on our countries if there was no EU, because at that point they would not be constrained by Eu regulations in terms of economic policies, dumping, foreign affairs, etc.
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:31 am 15. David W. Lincoln:David Hannan vindicated. Remember this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4tBXs
It is time for an honest appraisal to jettison what is not necessary.
Jun 9, 2009 - 9:48 am 16. David W. Lincoln:Whoops, that should be Daniel Hannan
Jun 9, 2009 - 10:36 am 17. Frank:In Europe, “Right wing, Center, Left Wing” reads more like “Left wing, Far Left Wing, Extreme Left Wing”
So Merkel and Sarkozy and the British Conservatives shouldn’t get anyones hopes up. None of them are much different from their “center left” socialist counter parts.
Jun 9, 2009 - 10:38 am 18. Marie Claude:WhyamInotsurprised,
umm you’ll get bored then, nothing to rant at !
Jun 9, 2009 - 2:09 pm 19. Marie Claude:Europe rejected the socialists that weren’t able to provide ideas and means facing the crisis. This was more a choice for pragmatism than for ideals.
” see your worries about being controlled by french and germans (i am too). however,I think gemrans and french would be even more influencial on our countries if there was no EU, because at that point they would not be constrained by Eu regulations in terms of economic policies, dumping, foreign affairs, etc”
um, France & Germany are the biggest contribuators as taxes payors, it’s a bit normal that their influence is preponderant.
I, if I could return to the past, would not vote for such a union, I think we lose our freedom, our identity. Suffice economical alliances, or at least the first Germany and France alliance, which was ment to avoid a new conflict between our both nations.
Jun 9, 2009 - 2:24 pm 20. myth buster:9. Except the economy is not recovering. Instead, it is getting worse.
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:09 pm 21. Typos_R_us:Now if it only meant something. The European Parliament has about as much political power as my Aunt’s pet poodle. About because that poodle has a nasty bite if aroused.
Jun 9, 2009 - 8:06 pm 22. JoshC:That puts it quite a bit above the European Parliament, which is as toothless an institution as man has ever created.
I don’t know about the rest of Europe but in the UK the only time you knew there was an election was when you got your postal vote or saw a Polling Station sign outside a public building. Our media has been fixated with the expenses scandal and reported no arguments to vote for or against. That scandal, which actually affects all parties, has been spun somewhat by the Telegraph to focus on the governing party (the first few days of it when everyone was talking notice was only about Labour MPs). That led to a collapse in Labour’s core vote as many didn’t bother to vote and therefore made the vote for right-wing parties look better than it would have.
Jun 10, 2009 - 12:28 am 23. Marie Claude:#21
80% of our laws that prevail in our coutries are voted in EU parliaments
Jun 10, 2009 - 5:38 am 24. Bohemond:“I really can’t see why Lisbon would turn the EU into a “bureaucratic superstate”, or why would you talk about European “democracy”, when you aknowledge that the treaty is going to give even more power to the EU parliament, elected directly by the people.”
Piffle. The EP is a powerless talking-shop like the UN General Assembly; all power resides in the completely unelected and unaccountable European Commission.
Jun 10, 2009 - 8:05 am 25. Typos_R_us:“80% of our laws that prevail in our coutries are voted in EU parliaments”.
“The Law does not go where enforcement cannot reach”.
IIRC it was Blackstone that first said that, or at least put it to paper. I suspect some Roman beat him to it, the concept behind that statement being very Roman.
Jun 10, 2009 - 9:37 am 26. Marie Claude:Power belongs to those who enforce the laws, NOT those that pass those laws. This is a key point in the difference between left and right.
The Left never seems to figure out that passing a law means very little unless that law is enforced.
That makes the EU Parliament toothless, just as the UN is.
Toothless dogs are only useful if taught to fetch. The question is “Who is the EUP ( European Union Parliament, pronounced YUP, like a bug just flew down your throat and your trying to cough it back up) fetching for?”
umm, it’s not what our enterprises and managers think !
you can b pursed under these laws or you can have a recourse to the EU court if you think that your trial wasn’t fair, and the final decision will be from the higher stances
Jun 10, 2009 - 10:57 am 27. Oscar the Grump:PJM you are two days late to report on the EU elections. Why?
Jun 10, 2009 - 5:42 pm 28. TomTom:All three major parties in Great Britain are funded by hedge funds and are completely adrift of voters who distrust them. The EU Commission works with the Council of Ministers like an unaccountable Executive.
The EU “Toy Parliament” cannot block the Executive, cannot remove the Executive, cannot initiate legislation, is elected on 34% turnout with a party list where parties choose candidates not voters.
The national parliaments are by-passed by EU Regulations, the European Court of Justice attempts to override national judicial systems; all national regulators are subsumed under EU Federal control.
It is illegal in England to sell a house without Government-approved Information Pack – penalty $400/day thanks to EU Regulation based on Kyoto Treaty.
The EU is an anti-democratic force by design to become Plato’s republic with Plato’s Guardians
Jun 10, 2009 - 11:44 pm 29. Marie-Luise:I am very glad that the Socialists lost.
After this election, I hope that Turkey does not stand a chance to become a member of the EU /which would mean 15 mill. unskilled Muslims rushing into Europe and living off social benefits).
I voted for the Christian Democrats. Due to the colation government in Germany, they have to make concessions to the Socialists. I wish they would show more profile.
Jun 11, 2009 - 3:27 pm