The results of last week’s elections to the European Parliament were far from being a disaster for the concept of European economic cohesion and social rights for its citizens. A majority of the 43.1% of citizens eligible to vote that bothered to do so gave their support to mainstream parties which are broadly supportive of the EU concept. Indeed, 0.1% more EU citizens voted this time than previously; a rapturous endorsement of democracy for a continent that just seventy years ago was in a bitter war against fascism for the right to democratic self-determination. Turnout ranged from 90% in Belgium where it is mandatory to vote, to just 13% in Slovakia.
What has set the alarm bells ringing in the corridors of power in all 28 member states of the EU is the rise in support for parties which are hostile to the EU or, like the British UK Independence Party, actively wish to pull out of it, coupled with strengthened support for the far right in European politics. Unsurprisingly, left wing parties did well in nations worst hit by austerity, but paradoxically in Greece, both far right and far left drew votes away from mainstream parties. A consistent theme in the Eurosceptic support seems to be concern (read fear) about the Treaty of Rome promise that allows all EU citizens the freedom to work anywhere within the union. This right has been whipped up into a frenzy against the prospect of mass immigration from poorer eastern states into wealthy western members such as Germany, France and the UK.
Leaders of the EU are promising a reassessment of the blocs priorities and direction. British PM David Cameron’s opinion is that the EC has become “Brussels has got too big, too bossy, too interfering” – the Commission should prepare itself for a battering in the coming months.