Short panoramic views of the member states on the eve of the 25th of May European elections
by Emanuele Bonini
Northern European countries have always had their own idea about the European Union and time didn't change their attitude, so the election day won't offer anything new. The United Kingdom still has problem to accept the European Union and its values. At the end of 2013 expired the legal clause forbidding Romanians and Bulgarians to access into the national space. UK but the country got a temporary dispensation for free movement of workers from the eastern countries, and British political parties wanted to continue denying access to Romanians and Bulgarians. Last in time line there's the Financial transaction tax (FTT) making UK upset. A part of the EU - only eleven member states - are committed to introduce it, with British authorities firmly decided to prevent it. FTT is seen as a measure endangering "The City" of London hitting the whole British economy. Euroscepticism together with one of the deepest crisis of Labours are going to make Tories and UKip party the most voted parties of the country. For the first time ever United Kingdom Independence Party (UKip) is supposed to rise as the second political force. Not a good new for Europe. Innovation are expected to come from Ireland. There anti-European feelings can arrive from the Economic adjustment programme agreed with Troika. Austerity measures could be play a role in the elections, and it seems it will happen. According to Irish poll Sinn Féin could win three seats in European election, filling the gap created in 2009 when Gerry Adams' party experienced a collapse in consent. What does it mean? Sinn Féin - not represented in the current EU Parliament - will join GUE (European United Left–Nordic Green Left left-wing group), traditionally critic on many EU policies. Ireland - not in the Schengen area - will send a message to Europe and its integration process, as well as other countries across the European Union will do.
In Denmark there will a double test. Electors are called not only to vote for the European Parliament but also for Danish participation to the EU Unified Patent Court. As Denmark has an opt-out from EU legislation on justice, more than 80% of MPs have to support Denmark joining the patent court, or the government must call a referendum. In June 2012 - during the Danish presidency of the EU - all the member states decided to create a common patent court, to be established in Paris (central headquarters), as well as in Munich and London (peripheral offices). Despite Danish European efforts and commitments, the same government was not able to get the approval of the Parliament, so a referendum will be held the 25th of May. According to premises no good news are expected from Denmark: Eurosceptic and populist Danish People’s Party (DF) reached the highest level of popular consent, arriving to be the first national party. "More Denmark, less Europe" is the slogan and, of course, the main item of Danish political debate at the moment. Immigration and free movement are the greatest concerns in the kingdom, where citizens' intention is clearly non-Europe oriented. That's not a surprise. Perhaps not all the people will remember that in Denmark, on the eve of Denmark's referendum on EEC membership, a political party called The People's Movement against the EU (FmEU) was funded for the promotion of a "no" vote to the same referendum. It happened in 1972, just few months before Danish accession to the EU. Sweden has traditionally a national approach to the European Union. The country is not in the monetary union because voters rejected Euro adoption proposal with the referendum held in 2003. That event clearly showed Swedish skepticism on the European project. Today the situation is not changed a lot: immigration is a problem for Sweden and people movement flows should better managed, according to Swedish voters. As result the party of Swedish Democrats (SD), currently not represented in the European Parliament, are going to gain at least two seats. Despite the name, SD is a right-wing party, anti-immigration and anti-Europe. Considering the party is going to obtain a good result it's clear Sweden is reducing European vision. Furthermore, Sweden will held national and local elections in September, and the European vote of the end of the months will be used to send political messages inside rather than vote in an European perspective. The only good new comes from Finland, where current prime minister Jyrki Katainen is ready to leave his office in order to run for Europe. He announced he'll stop his work after the European election to serve as European Commissioner. In time of euroscepticism having who is proud to stay in the European Union is a positive message. EPP candidate Jean-Claude Juncker said in case of victory he is ready to give Katainen "an important" seat in the Commission. Perhaps that of Economic and monetary affairs, currently under the responsibility of another Finnish? At the same time Finland will elect MEP's from Timo Soini's Finns Party, the eurosceptic force of the country. Something continue to be no good for Europe even in Finland, the only Scandinavian country using Euro. (2. to be continued)
Northern European countries have always had their own idea about the European Union and time didn't change their attitude, so the election day won't offer anything new. The United Kingdom still has problem to accept the European Union and its values. At the end of 2013 expired the legal clause forbidding Romanians and Bulgarians to access into the national space. UK but the country got a temporary dispensation for free movement of workers from the eastern countries, and British political parties wanted to continue denying access to Romanians and Bulgarians. Last in time line there's the Financial transaction tax (FTT) making UK upset. A part of the EU - only eleven member states - are committed to introduce it, with British authorities firmly decided to prevent it. FTT is seen as a measure endangering "The City" of London hitting the whole British economy. Euroscepticism together with one of the deepest crisis of Labours are going to make Tories and UKip party the most voted parties of the country. For the first time ever United Kingdom Independence Party (UKip) is supposed to rise as the second political force. Not a good new for Europe. Innovation are expected to come from Ireland. There anti-European feelings can arrive from the Economic adjustment programme agreed with Troika. Austerity measures could be play a role in the elections, and it seems it will happen. According to Irish poll Sinn Féin could win three seats in European election, filling the gap created in 2009 when Gerry Adams' party experienced a collapse in consent. What does it mean? Sinn Féin - not represented in the current EU Parliament - will join GUE (European United Left–Nordic Green Left left-wing group), traditionally critic on many EU policies. Ireland - not in the Schengen area - will send a message to Europe and its integration process, as well as other countries across the European Union will do.
In Denmark there will a double test. Electors are called not only to vote for the European Parliament but also for Danish participation to the EU Unified Patent Court. As Denmark has an opt-out from EU legislation on justice, more than 80% of MPs have to support Denmark joining the patent court, or the government must call a referendum. In June 2012 - during the Danish presidency of the EU - all the member states decided to create a common patent court, to be established in Paris (central headquarters), as well as in Munich and London (peripheral offices). Despite Danish European efforts and commitments, the same government was not able to get the approval of the Parliament, so a referendum will be held the 25th of May. According to premises no good news are expected from Denmark: Eurosceptic and populist Danish People’s Party (DF) reached the highest level of popular consent, arriving to be the first national party. "More Denmark, less Europe" is the slogan and, of course, the main item of Danish political debate at the moment. Immigration and free movement are the greatest concerns in the kingdom, where citizens' intention is clearly non-Europe oriented. That's not a surprise. Perhaps not all the people will remember that in Denmark, on the eve of Denmark's referendum on EEC membership, a political party called The People's Movement against the EU (FmEU) was funded for the promotion of a "no" vote to the same referendum. It happened in 1972, just few months before Danish accession to the EU. Sweden has traditionally a national approach to the European Union. The country is not in the monetary union because voters rejected Euro adoption proposal with the referendum held in 2003. That event clearly showed Swedish skepticism on the European project. Today the situation is not changed a lot: immigration is a problem for Sweden and people movement flows should better managed, according to Swedish voters. As result the party of Swedish Democrats (SD), currently not represented in the European Parliament, are going to gain at least two seats. Despite the name, SD is a right-wing party, anti-immigration and anti-Europe. Considering the party is going to obtain a good result it's clear Sweden is reducing European vision. Furthermore, Sweden will held national and local elections in September, and the European vote of the end of the months will be used to send political messages inside rather than vote in an European perspective. The only good new comes from Finland, where current prime minister Jyrki Katainen is ready to leave his office in order to run for Europe. He announced he'll stop his work after the European election to serve as European Commissioner. In time of euroscepticism having who is proud to stay in the European Union is a positive message. EPP candidate Jean-Claude Juncker said in case of victory he is ready to give Katainen "an important" seat in the Commission. Perhaps that of Economic and monetary affairs, currently under the responsibility of another Finnish? At the same time Finland will elect MEP's from Timo Soini's Finns Party, the eurosceptic force of the country. Something continue to be no good for Europe even in Finland, the only Scandinavian country using Euro. (2. to be continued)
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