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EU Election Pounds Left

Low turnout across 27 nations leads to extremist gains

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 8, 2009 4:09 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The center-right won a clear victory in this weekend's European parliament elections, while a record low turnout helped far-right and extremist groups make gains across the 27-nation bloc, the BBC reports. The ruling conservative parties in France, Germany and Italy performed well, while in Britain Labor came in a dismal third behind an anti-EU party. The hard right picked up seats everywhere from Holland to Hungary.

The results strengthen the position of José Manuel Barroso, the Portuguese leader of the European Commission, who now seems assured of winning a second five-year term at the head of the Brussels executive branch. Turnout across the continent plunged to around 44%, despite the growing power of the union's legislature. "It's a sad evening for social democracy in Europe," said the leader of the parliament's leftist group.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni, casts his vote for the European elections in Paris yesterday.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni, casts his vote for the European elections in Paris yesterday.   (AP Photo/Philippe Wojazer, pool)
President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, from Portugal, is handed his ballot to vote in the European parliament elections yesterday at a school in Lisbon.
President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, from Portugal, is handed his ballot to vote in the European parliament elections yesterday at a school in Lisbon.   (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Former Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel walks to a polling station to vote during the European Parliament elections in Prague on Friday.
Former Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel walks to a polling station to vote during the European Parliament elections in Prague on Friday.   (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and his wife, Mary, cast their votes in local and European elections in Offaly, Ireland, on Friday.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and his wife, Mary, cast their votes in local and European elections in Offaly, Ireland, on Friday.   (AP Photo/Niall Carson/-pa)
Britain elected its first extreme-right politician to the European Parliament, a development mainstream lawmakers blamed on the recession and a collapse of trust in major political parties.
Britain elected its first extreme-right politician to the European Parliament, a development mainstream lawmakers blamed on the recession and a collapse of trust in major political parties.   (AP Photo/Dave Thompson, PA)
Labor party supporters rally in Hamrun, Malta, yesterday.
Labor party supporters rally in Hamrun, Malta, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Lino Azzopardi)
Teen voter Noemi Letizia arrives at a polling station in Naples yesterday. Silvio Berlusconi's Freedom People's Party held a two-digit lead over its main center-left rival.
Teen voter Noemi Letizia arrives at a polling station in Naples yesterday. Silvio Berlusconi's Freedom People's Party held a two-digit lead over its main center-left rival.   (AP Photo/Franco Castano)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Nwambe
Jun 8, 2009 11:18 AM CDT
I don't know if that's entirely true - The last election in the United States did not fall that way, despite a thin margin voting the right-wing Republican Party out of office.
Thinker
Jun 8, 2009 11:11 AM CDT
Low voter turnout means just the crazies vote. This will change when the real majority starts to experience the problems that the right wing brings.
cfbailey
Jun 8, 2009 10:46 AM CDT
Good sign of the times..

Misery for social democrats across Europe
Guardian (UK)

 
European Union • Labour Party • UMP • Jose Manuel Barroso • CDU • parliamentary elections • election • People of Freedom • European Parliament

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