European Voters.

[Sean]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/06/13/europe.vote/index.html

Discuss. Opinions? Impact on US? etc.

[Delirium]

Reading the story it seems to me in Europe they dont all agree, much like here. In some countries people who supported the war lost seats and in others people who didnt support the war lost seats. How would it impact us anymore than when our election is held effect them? Seems they are just as divided as the US is in my opinion.

Among the countries where opposition parties made gains were France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Poland, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Big fucking suprise.

[Miss X]

Well, with regard to the UK I think its pretty shocking and is going to be a kick up the ass for our Government. Its been a very long time since the party in power did this badly. I personally voted for the Lib Dems who were opposed to the war and I voted for them for that reason. I hope our government realises that there are some domestic issues that need to be taken care of ASAP (student fees, education system, health service....) because if they keep on as they are there is no way they will win the general election.

Wow, U.K. did a 360.

First they politely disregard human life from Globalization I (Mercantilism 1) to Globalization II. Now it seems that they suddenly have a turnaround and decide to muster some support for an oligarichal radical-left opposition party.

I seriously think the limeys should cling dearly to their rebelious "Goth era" liberal-phase and refrain from becoming hypocrites, in more than one sense, by sticking their pointy noses in places where it don't belong.

[longshot]

People are not going to get off the couch during Euro 2004 to vote.

That's like having election day on St. Patrick's Day or something...

[Miss X]

Polling was before Euro 2004 started, still the percentage of people that vote in the European and Local elections is always pretty low.

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Stanley Burrell
Among the countries where opposition parties made gains were France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Poland, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Big fucking suprise.

That would be opposition to the ruling parties, as laid out by the preceding statement "With no overarching European issues, voters in many of the 25 EU countries used the election to register dissatisfaction against ruling parties over domestic issues."

No big surprise that any country has people that are pissed off with their ruling party.


I seriously think the limeys should cling dearly to their rebelious "Goth era" liberal-phase and refrain from becoming hypocrites, in more than one sense, by sticking their pointy noses in places where it don't belong.

Dont recall hearing that when your country wanted support for your unwarranted war on Iraq :rolleyes:

Wish they would have minded where they stuck their pointy noses when that was kicking off.

[Chadj]

Touché

[Wezas]

Only 44.6 percent of the eligible voters cast a ballot -- a record low.

Not like the US is much better.

in 2000:

102 million people voted.
198 million people were eligible to vote.

51.5%

(all numbers estimates)

[Artha]

Across the board, the bloc of center-right parties will hold the most seats in the next parliament, the EU projected.

This is acceptable.

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Miss X
I personally voted for the Lib DemsIn that vein, are European elections based on parties or specific candidates? The way the article and your testimony sounds, it sounds as if parties run against each other rather than the American (I'll refrain from calling it "the correct" for the moment) method wherein specific people compete.

[Miss X]

There are specific people that are members of specific parties. For example, on the voting forms are a list of candidates with the party they represent written above. In essence you are voting for the person, not the party but of course the party with the majority of seats wins.

[Latrinsorm]

Thanks! :)

(bunch of copycats)

[Galleazzo]

Besides this is an election for Euro MPs that don't have much power. Voting for the other guys to send yobbos to Brussels is an easy way to wave a middle finger at your local pols without having to make any real changes.