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Job fears fail to rally left-wing vote Job fears fail to rally left-wing vote
(3 days later)
By Dominic Hughes BBC News, Brussels Right-wing groups picked up more support as the vote fragmentedBy Dominic Hughes BBC News, Brussels Right-wing groups picked up more support as the vote fragmented
On the face of it, the circumstances around these elections looked pretty favourable to the parties of the centre-left.On the face of it, the circumstances around these elections looked pretty favourable to the parties of the centre-left.
In the run-up to the election, an opinion poll taken across the EU's 27 member states showed that the worst economic crisis in a generation had pushed a fear of unemployment right to the top of voters' concerns.In the run-up to the election, an opinion poll taken across the EU's 27 member states showed that the worst economic crisis in a generation had pushed a fear of unemployment right to the top of voters' concerns.
So you might have expected voters to back the parties of the left. Instead it was the centre-right that benefited.So you might have expected voters to back the parties of the left. Instead it was the centre-right that benefited.
Were Europe's voters expressing greater confidence in these parties' abilities to manage economic downturn and - hopefully - the beginnings of recovery?Were Europe's voters expressing greater confidence in these parties' abilities to manage economic downturn and - hopefully - the beginnings of recovery?
Maybe. But it is also true that in many European states safety nets already exist for those who lose their jobs, perhaps neutering one of the left's unique selling points.Maybe. But it is also true that in many European states safety nets already exist for those who lose their jobs, perhaps neutering one of the left's unique selling points.
And if we take a closer look at the picture in some of the big EU states, things begin to look a little more complicated.And if we take a closer look at the picture in some of the big EU states, things begin to look a little more complicated.
Demoralised oppositionDemoralised opposition
In France, for example, President Nicholas Sarkozy's UMP did well - but they were battling a divided, demoralised socialist opposition which managed a meagre 16%, roughly the same as the French Greens.In France, for example, President Nicholas Sarkozy's UMP did well - but they were battling a divided, demoralised socialist opposition which managed a meagre 16%, roughly the same as the French Greens.
Italian voters backed Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's party, but the numbers fell short of his stated aim of winning 40% of the vote. Again, the opposition from the left was split.Italian voters backed Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's party, but the numbers fell short of his stated aim of winning 40% of the vote. Again, the opposition from the left was split.
In Spain the ruling socialists took a pasting from the opposition conservative Popular Party, but with nearly one in five Spaniards unemployed the government was always looking at a grim result.In Spain the ruling socialists took a pasting from the opposition conservative Popular Party, but with nearly one in five Spaniards unemployed the government was always looking at a grim result.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is perhaps one European leader who can look at these results without any nagging doubts at the back of her mind.German Chancellor Angela Merkel is perhaps one European leader who can look at these results without any nagging doubts at the back of her mind.
With a general election due in September her coalition partners - but electoral rivals - the centre-left SPD did badly.With a general election due in September her coalition partners - but electoral rivals - the centre-left SPD did badly.
Despite a huge publicity campaign, the turnout was lowDespite a huge publicity campaign, the turnout was low
German voters perhaps took the view that even though their economy was suffering the crisis was not of their making, having seen their export markets collapse.German voters perhaps took the view that even though their economy was suffering the crisis was not of their making, having seen their export markets collapse.
Chancellor Merkel has also shown determination in resisting calls for Germany to mimic the kind of fiscal stimulus packages adopted in the UK and so avoiding taking on huge national debt.Chancellor Merkel has also shown determination in resisting calls for Germany to mimic the kind of fiscal stimulus packages adopted in the UK and so avoiding taking on huge national debt.
To thrifty and cautious Germans - among the biggest savers in the EU - that might have won her brownie points.To thrifty and cautious Germans - among the biggest savers in the EU - that might have won her brownie points.
In the UK itself the opposition Conservative vote did increase - but only by 2%.In the UK itself the opposition Conservative vote did increase - but only by 2%.
Instead what seems to have happened across Europe is a fragmentation of the vote.Instead what seems to have happened across Europe is a fragmentation of the vote.
One of the beneficiaries has been the far right.One of the beneficiaries has been the far right.
The BNP in Britain, the Party of Freedom in the Netherlands, the Freedom Party in Austria - all saw gains.The BNP in Britain, the Party of Freedom in the Netherlands, the Freedom Party in Austria - all saw gains.
Nationalist and anti-immigration parties also did well in Denmark, Finland and Hungary. However, some predictions of a huge increase in support for the far right have failed to materialise.Nationalist and anti-immigration parties also did well in Denmark, Finland and Hungary. However, some predictions of a huge increase in support for the far right have failed to materialise.
Little changeLittle change
But - a little boringly from a journalistic point of view - the next European Parliament will look largely like its predecessor.But - a little boringly from a journalistic point of view - the next European Parliament will look largely like its predecessor.
The centre-right will group together under the umbrella of the European People's Party, the largest group in the Parliament.The centre-right will group together under the umbrella of the European People's Party, the largest group in the Parliament.
FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World ServiceFROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service
They will not be joined by the UK Conservatives though, who want to set up a new "Euro-realist" group of their own.They will not be joined by the UK Conservatives though, who want to set up a new "Euro-realist" group of their own.
The Party of European Socialists will be the second-biggest group, followed by the Liberals and the Greens.The Party of European Socialists will be the second-biggest group, followed by the Liberals and the Greens.
But in an institution that works on building consensus, politicians from Europe's centre-right have shown they are surprisingly open to backing legislation that has a strong social welfare element, such as efforts to limit the number of hours that can be worked in a week.But in an institution that works on building consensus, politicians from Europe's centre-right have shown they are surprisingly open to backing legislation that has a strong social welfare element, such as efforts to limit the number of hours that can be worked in a week.
So there may not be a big change in the kind of laws that come out of the parliament over the next five years.So there may not be a big change in the kind of laws that come out of the parliament over the next five years.
One thing that will concern many of Europe's law makers is the turnout in these elections.One thing that will concern many of Europe's law makers is the turnout in these elections.
In 1979, 62% of Europeans voted in the first European elections. Those days seem a long way away now.In 1979, 62% of Europeans voted in the first European elections. Those days seem a long way away now.
Despite spending millions of euros on a pan-European advertising campaign turnout hit a new low of around 43%.Despite spending millions of euros on a pan-European advertising campaign turnout hit a new low of around 43%.
So despite its growing powers - set to increase even further if the Lisbon Treaty is approved - the European Parliament still has a huge problem connecting with voters.So despite its growing powers - set to increase even further if the Lisbon Treaty is approved - the European Parliament still has a huge problem connecting with voters.