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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 12:22:14 PM

Title: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 12:22:14 PM
Will the cunt parties win a blocking minority in the European Parliament?
Or will Good and European Fraternity (or at least the lesser evils of establishment politics and bureaucratic technocracy) triumph?

The answer, tonight!

Spain also holds local/regional elections at the same time. With many big cities (including both Barcelona and Madrid) and regions a tossup at this point.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2019, 12:26:02 PM
Election participation looks to be at an all time high here and the cunt parties are down in the polls. But I'll wait with opening the champagne until the results.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 12:31:30 PM
Participation is a record high in here, too. But that's more an effect of scheduling them together with the local election.

Vox hasn't polled strongly after the (relative) disappointment of the general election, but they will win seats.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2019, 12:31:45 PM
"The first turnout figures for the UK show the area covering Birmingham at 31.1%" :o

We passed a total turnout of 60% an hour ago.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Syt on May 26, 2019, 12:32:51 PM
Seems the FPÖ hardly lost any votes in the wake of the Ibiza tape. Christian Conservatives win significantly, taking scraps from the other parties, esp. "Other". Current projection:

(https://images.derstandard.at/img/2019/05/26/hr.png?tc=142&s=1d6fca4a)
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2019, 12:34:35 PM
FPO have the Trump voters I guess?
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Syt on May 26, 2019, 12:46:43 PM
Basically.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2019, 01:07:54 PM
Both exit polls show the nationalists losing at least half their seats and the Dexiteers losing their only seat.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Josquius on May 26, 2019, 01:16:34 PM
I've read that

1: Turnout is up
2: This is primarily in remain voting areas

So a man can hope
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Syt on May 26, 2019, 01:19:14 PM
Austrian guesstimate per age groups:

(https://external-preview.redd.it/CU20Mxo9vEk4AvGQYueGV3nnNKYj-bFzhs7PcXtbHlo.png?auto=webp&s=9f7c9411f9eb1e0e5f348039ab4e8cb4e1bc79ee)
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Tamas on May 26, 2019, 02:06:16 PM
Allegedly largest European turnout since 1994. We'll see tonight if that included people worried about the rise of the far-right, or just the far right mobilising really well.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 02:23:11 PM
We don't have exits polls this time, but rather regular polls conducted on the day of the election, cheaper but of dubious reliability. All point to a socialist victory and Vox underperforming their results from a month ago. Hopefully they'll be a flash in the pan and go away in the next election cycle.

Separatists have managed to get some of their people in Belgium/jail elected, so I guess we'll have some fun and legal wrangling.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2019, 02:55:56 PM
Well, Macron's strategy depicting these elections as a choice between his party or coalition and Marine's party really worked: RN is first, followed by Benny Hill's list.  :lol: Benny Hill is not that far behind though but it's still a defeat.
Very good score for the leftie Greens, a surprising third with 13%, and a disappointing fourth place for the conservatives (Bellamy). PS remnants manage to get some Parliaments members with a little more of 6%. The far-left of Mélenchon and Aubry is just behind, a mere 100,000 votes less. Disappointing for them.

Highest participation since 1994, good news.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Syt on May 26, 2019, 03:01:17 PM
Looks like Greens are second strongest in Germany, behind Conservatives and ahead of Social Democrats. :o
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2019, 03:09:21 PM
I voted for a young candidate as she was the one I agreed most with in all those candidate tests and it looks like she might actually win a seat. I'm sure Languish will approve.

(https://i.sohn.dk/ft/kmph.jpg)
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2019, 03:28:41 PM
What about her politics?  :P
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Maladict on May 26, 2019, 04:33:40 PM

Exit poll has been out for days, very acceptable results thankfully

(https://nos.nl/data/image/2019/05/26/552764/xxl.jpg)
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 04:42:56 PM
Looks like the separatists will win Barcelona. They actually have 40% of the vote but given the election system (which is a bit FPTP when it comes to elect the major) they'll control the city unless there's a very improbable alliance involving Valls, the socialists and the current lefty major.

The right wins Madrid.

My town gets a comfortable socialist majority, so at least I have that. And the local party my brother works for won the election in their town, surprising everyone. He ran their campaign, unpaid.

Overall, though, the socialists cruise to a big victory (20 MEP seats out of 54), beating the polls. The cunt party (Vox) gets only 3 seats and gets half the vote share they got a month ago.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2019, 04:44:41 PM
The nationalists and the Dexiteers got a total of 1 seat down from 5. The liberals and socialists are both up 2 to 5 seats and 3 seats. The Social democrats remain at 3 and the conservatives remain at 1.

Acceptable, although it'll be painful to have to listen to the liberals for the next week or so.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2019, 04:47:55 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 04:42:56 PM
Looks like the separatists will win Barcelona. They actually have 40% of the vote but given the election system (which is a bit FPTP when it comes to elect the major) they'll control the city unless there's a very improbable alliance involving Valls, the socialists and the current lefty major.

The right wins Madrid.

My town gets a comfortable socialist majority, so at least I have that. And the local party my brother works for won the election in their town, surprising everyone. He ran their campaign, unpaid.

Overall, though, the socialists cruise to a big victory (20 MEP seats out of 54), beating the polls. The cunt party (Vox) gets only 3 seats and gets half the vote share they got a month ago.

Does this mean that Valls can still be mayor or at least have a say in the unlikely coalition?
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 04:50:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2019, 04:47:55 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 04:42:56 PM
Looks like the separatists will win Barcelona. They actually have 40% of the vote but given the election system (which is a bit FPTP when it comes to elect the major) they'll control the city unless there's a very improbable alliance involving Valls, the socialists and the current lefty major.

The right wins Madrid.

My town gets a comfortable socialist majority, so at least I have that. And the local party my brother works for won the election in their town, surprising everyone. He ran their campaign, unpaid.

Overall, though, the socialists cruise to a big victory (20 MEP seats out of 54), beating the polls. The cunt party (Vox) gets only 3 seats and gets half the vote share they got a month ago.

Does this mean that Valls can still be mayor or at least have a say in the unlikely coalition?

Just have a say. He finished 4th. The only district he won is the richest in town, so here's that  :P
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Josquius on May 26, 2019, 04:52:18 PM
Well fuck. Results out from the North East, as expected the Greens serve as a spoiler on the Lib Dems and divided they get nothing.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2019, 04:57:09 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 26, 2019, 04:52:18 PM
Well fuck. Results out from the North East, as expected the Greens serve as a spoiler on the Lib Dems and divided they get nothing.

Wait, are you using the same crazy election systems for the EP elections?
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Maladict on May 26, 2019, 05:08:07 PM
Quote from: Liep on May 26, 2019, 04:57:09 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 26, 2019, 04:52:18 PM
Well fuck. Results out from the North East, as expected the Greens serve as a spoiler on the Lib Dems and divided they get nothing.

Wait, are you using the same crazy election systems for the EP elections?

MEPs are divided by region. The northeast gets 3, looks like it's 2 Brexit party and 1 Labour.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2019, 05:13:38 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 04:50:00 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 26, 2019, 04:47:55 PM
Quote from: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 04:42:56 PM
Looks like the separatists will win Barcelona. They actually have 40% of the vote but given the election system (which is a bit FPTP when it comes to elect the major) they'll control the city unless there's a very improbable alliance involving Valls, the socialists and the current lefty major.

The right wins Madrid.

My town gets a comfortable socialist majority, so at least I have that. And the local party my brother works for won the election in their town, surprising everyone. He ran their campaign, unpaid.

Overall, though, the socialists cruise to a big victory (20 MEP seats out of 54), beating the polls. The cunt party (Vox) gets only 3 seats and gets half the vote share they got a month ago.

Does this mean that Valls can still be mayor or at least have a say in the unlikely coalition?

Just have a say. He finished 4th. The only district he won is the richest in town, so here's that  :P

WAD, for the post-modern left.  :P
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 26, 2019, 05:47:16 PM
This has got to hurt.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7hwA2_XYAAtfgW.jpg)
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Josquius on May 26, 2019, 06:28:51 PM
hmm, so  Farage has 31.8 and UKIP has 3.4.   Thats 35.2% for the unambiguously pro Brexit.
Meanwhile the Greens have 12.2, Lib Dems 20.4, and CHUK 3.5. Thats 36.1% for the unambiguously anti Brexit. Add on the SNP and its 39.1%.

I await Labour and the Tories announcing that this is clear proof the people are desperate for brexit.

edit- forgot PC. 40.3% for remain parties.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 06:39:19 PM
From my very limited understanding of British politics, the Tory answer will be to appoint a Dalek as PM, painted with the Union Jack.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on May 26, 2019, 06:44:33 PM
Looking on the bright side the chances that the tories will become a no-account minority party have increased  :cool:
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Iormlund on May 26, 2019, 07:01:32 PM
How come you still haven't finished counting the votes?  :wacko:
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Josquius on May 26, 2019, 07:05:52 PM
(https://preview.redd.it/7c0jehpwlm031.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=2ed3534032229382e3d775c3e6637e3e98efaaf3)

:D

Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 26, 2019, 06:44:33 PM
Looking on the bright side the chances that the tories will become a no-account minority party have increased  :cool:


It has taken a decade longer than it should have done but hopefully my dream shall finally come true and the Lib Dems shall reclaim their spot as the second party of the UK.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2019, 01:34:33 AM
Cunt parties failed to get 1/3 of the European Parliament (they barely get 1/4). For now, crisis averted.

(https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/digital-images/org/749fed39-fe68-41fe-8fca-6d12ee868ddb.png)

What will happen to British MEPs once they pull out?
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Syt on May 27, 2019, 02:46:24 AM
7 of Vienna's 23 districts were carried by the Greens. Social Democrats are strongest overall in Vienna. FPÖ at 15%.

In my district, Greens got over 30% of the vote. I assume this is largely due to the high number of EU students in the district who aren't allowed to vote in national or state elections (normally, Greens and Conservatives are about equal in my district).
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Maladict on May 27, 2019, 02:57:15 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 27, 2019, 01:34:33 AM
Cunt parties failed to get 1/3 of the European Parliament (they barely get 1/4). For now, crisis averted.

(https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/digital-images/org/749fed39-fe68-41fe-8fca-6d12ee868ddb.png)

What will happen to British MEPs once they pull out?

Seats will be divided proportionally. We get three of their seats, unfortunately one will go to Wilders' party which got completely wiped out as it stands now.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:29:46 AM
37% voted in Britain, can't we conclude that they don't really care? That way they can just carry on and stay in without bothering that many.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: garbon on May 27, 2019, 03:33:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:29:46 AM
37% voted in Britain, can't we conclude that they don't really care? That way they can just carry on and stay in without bothering that many.

Well that's a little higher than British turnout in 2014.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:36:18 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 03:33:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:29:46 AM
37% voted in Britain, can't we conclude that they don't really care? That way they can just carry on and stay in without bothering that many.

Well that's a little higher than British turnout in 2014.

So they never cared.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Tamas on May 27, 2019, 04:00:10 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 03:33:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:29:46 AM
37% voted in Britain, can't we conclude that they don't really care? That way they can just carry on and stay in without bothering that many.

Well that's a little higher than British turnout in 2014.

It does seem to confirm that people don't REALLY care about EU membership, though. I know its usually this low in other EU countries as well but this was a very important one for the UK, possibly the last chance for the electorate to signal their preference before Brexit actually happens. Their preference is... to be left alone with the whole thing.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Solmyr on May 27, 2019, 04:22:30 AM
Finnish election results (https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/greens_surge_in_finlands_eu_parliament_election_centre_party_spurned/10802973)

NCP 20.8 % (3 seats) - centre-right liberals/conservatives, pro-EU, in EPP
GREENS 16% (2 seats) - lefty-ish, pro-EU, in Greens/EFA
SDP 14.6% (2 seats) - social democrats, currently trying to form the next government, pro-EU, in S&D
FINNS 13.8% (2 seats) - far right nationalists, rivals for top spot domestically, anti-EU, in ECR
CEN 13.5% (2 seats) - centrists (generally conservative), somewhat divided on EU, in ALDE
LEFT 6.9% (1 seat) - mainstream leftists, pro-EU, in GUE/NGL
SPP 6.3% (1 seat) - Swedish speakers, generally liberal, pro-EU, in ALDE

Change from last distribution is Centrists losing a seat and Greens gaining one. So basically Finland is pretty pro-EU, even though currently the anti-EU nationalists are one of the biggest parties here (maybe even the biggest atm, they just barely missed the first spot in the national elections last month).

Also, Finland won the ice hockey gold. :D
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on May 27, 2019, 04:36:17 AM
Over here:

PSOE 32.8 (20 seats) - socialdemocrats, in S&D
PP 20.1 (12 seats) - conservatives, in EPP
Cs 12.2 (7 seats) - liberals, in ALDE
Podemos 10.1 (6 seats) - lefties, in GUE/NGL
Vox 6.2 (3 seats) - far right, ungrouped but will probably end up in ECR
Ahora Repúblicas 5.6 (3 seats) - lefty basque & catalan separatists, in Greens/EFA
Lliures a Europa 4.6 (2 seats) - conservative catalan separatists, just got kicked out from ALDE
CEUS 2.8 (1 seat) - conservative basque nationalists and some other assorted conservative regionalists, in ALDE

The socialists get a pretty big win, and overall anti-EU parties (Vox, some of the separatists) send a small contingent.


Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on May 27, 2019, 04:47:48 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:29:46 AM
37% voted in Britain, can't we conclude that they don't really care? That way they can just carry on and stay in without bothering that many.

They care about their families, friends, jobs and going down the pub for a drink and a chat.....which is very sensible of them  :cool:

With the exception of my immediate circle (political nerds) I've been totally reliant on the media for saying that people care about brexit and the EU. The general public, at least here, are not really very interested.

The crisis is self-generated by the political class; their reputation continues to fall.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: garbon on May 27, 2019, 05:54:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:36:18 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 03:33:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:29:46 AM
37% voted in Britain, can't we conclude that they don't really care? That way they can just carry on and stay in without bothering that many.

Well that's a little higher than British turnout in 2014.

So they never cared.

Perhaps, though if we look here for 2014, UK hasn't had no company near the bottom. Netherlands were only 37% at last election (42% in this one).

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/elections2014-results/en/turnout.html

https://www.politico.eu/interactive/voters-turnout-in-the-european-elections/
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 27, 2019, 06:26:41 AM
French results

(https://www.francetvinfo.fr/image/75nedxws5-66d8/1200/450/19380791.jpg)

The Greens are third, biggest surprise. However, the second on their list, Michèle Rivasi is a well-known anti-vaxxer, who claims to be merely "vaccine-critic" and anti "Big Pharma".  :x
She organised for instance a screening of Andrew Wakefield's Vaxxed in Brussels. Tried to screen it at the European parliament but was prevented to do so. That was too much, even if paid by European taxpayer money.
Anti-vaccine rhetoric was toned down during the campaign but now it's party time!
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Maladict on May 27, 2019, 06:34:51 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 05:54:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:36:18 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 03:33:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:29:46 AM
37% voted in Britain, can't we conclude that they don't really care? That way they can just carry on and stay in without bothering that many.

Well that's a little higher than British turnout in 2014.

So they never cared.

Perhaps, though if we look here for 2014, UK hasn't had no company near the bottom. Netherlands were only 37% at last election (42% in this one).

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/elections2014-results/en/turnout.html

https://www.politico.eu/interactive/voters-turnout-in-the-european-elections/

We've always had low turnout for EU elections. I think the point is the UK has a lot more at stake this time around, you'd expect a higher turnout.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: garbon on May 27, 2019, 06:56:13 AM
Quote from: Maladict on May 27, 2019, 06:34:51 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 05:54:35 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:36:18 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 03:33:50 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 27, 2019, 03:29:46 AM
37% voted in Britain, can't we conclude that they don't really care? That way they can just carry on and stay in without bothering that many.

Well that's a little higher than British turnout in 2014.

So they never cared.

Perhaps, though if we look here for 2014, UK hasn't had no company near the bottom. Netherlands were only 37% at last election (42% in this one).

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/elections2014-results/en/turnout.html

https://www.politico.eu/interactive/voters-turnout-in-the-european-elections/

We've always had low turnout for EU elections. I think the point is the UK has a lot more at stake this time around, you'd expect a higher turnout.

If the UK is leaving, how important are the EU elections beyond signaling?
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Agelastus on May 27, 2019, 09:19:00 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 26, 2019, 06:28:51 PM
hmm, so  Farage has 31.8 and UKIP has 3.4.   Thats 35.2% for the unambiguously pro Brexit.
Meanwhile the Greens have 12.2, Lib Dems 20.4, and CHUK 3.5. Thats 36.1% for the unambiguously anti Brexit. Add on the SNP and its 39.1%.

I await Labour and the Tories announcing that this is clear proof the people are desperate for brexit.

edit- forgot PC. 40.3% for remain parties.

Yes.

Now Scotland has finally declared (and ignoring NI for the moment) -

Total unambiguous leaver = 34.9%

Total unambiguous remainer = 40.39%

However, as the Tories remain committed to carrying out the result of the referendum that makes the figures -

Total unambiguous referendum implementer = 40.69%

Total unambiguous referendum discarder = 40.39%

[I'm very unhappy with how I've phrased the second term - "discarder" - but I was having trouble of thinking of anything better since I feel that all the parties involved would greatly prefer to kill the referendum result in parliament rather than have a second referendum.]

Then, of course, we have the "inscrutable" faction, Labour with it's 14.1% and 10 MEPs. :hmm:

Of course, the above leaves "implementers" with 33 MEPs to "discarders" 27 - but that's an artefact of the idiot system used; we have constituencies that are too big for the local voter to care about that send an effective slate of representatives to Europe that normally includes at least 50% people who the average voter would not want to represent them in any way (by which I mean, as a demonstrative example, a Lib Dem doesn't want to be represented by a Brexit Party member and vice-versa) while at the same time said constituencies are still to small. While said constituencies are far too big for a FPTP supporter the North East, for example, has 3 MEPs who collectively are supported by 48% of the vote in the current system. I would imagine that this is not something that would impress a PR supporter.

----------------------------------------

I said before the referendum that the result needed to be unambiguous whichever side one - and after the result I am fairly sure you'll find me posting that such a close result, regardless of which side one, was close to the worst of all possible worlds for the outcome.

The Euro elections have not improved the situation significantly enough for either side.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Maladict on May 27, 2019, 09:52:32 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 06:56:13 AM

If the UK is leaving, how important are the EU elections beyond signaling?

If the signals are overwhelming enough, they might not be leaving.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: garbon on May 27, 2019, 10:09:59 AM
Quote from: Maladict on May 27, 2019, 09:52:32 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 27, 2019, 06:56:13 AM

If the UK is leaving, how important are the EU elections beyond signaling?

If the signals are overwhelming enough, they might not be leaving.

Okay but we should keep thoughts on the real world not unlikely hypotheticals. The UK is divided as ever on Brexit.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Syt on May 27, 2019, 10:27:19 AM
In Austria, the seats are given according to party lists. However, voters can manually write in names of their preferred candidate in the party they vote for.

In this case, H.C. Strache (the main actor in the Ibiza video) was moved from the last place on the list (a common solidarity position for party leaders as it's unlikely they'd be voted to EU parliament) towards the top and would now qualify for a mandate in Brussels/Strasbourg. :bleeding:

Strache posted on social media that he is honored and feels obliged to accept this trust and the EU mandate ... but then deleted the post shortly thereafter.

(https://images.derstandard.at/t/LB109/livebericht/2000103854237/2df8a4cf-d37e-4383-8e90-7800509dfa6b.JPG)
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 27, 2019, 12:08:37 PM
Despite various scandals involving nepotism and tax fraud of the current Prime Minister, António Costa, PS (centre-left) wins in Portugal. Costa still benefits from the economic recovery and austerity being linked to the former PSD / CDS-PP govt.
Final results have yet to arrive, but it's already a clear PS victory. PSD (centre-right) second. BE Leftists third, Communists coalition fourth and CDP/PP Conservatives fifth. PAN, Greens, a surprising sixth.

Extremely high abstention, only 30 % of those registered deigned to vote. Not a surprise, unfortunately.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Solmyr on May 28, 2019, 03:13:13 AM
By the way, the Finnish MEPs from the nationalist Finns party may be the most parody-prone yet. First we have Teuvo Hakkarainen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teuvo_Hakkarainen), an alcoholic who has been convicted of sexual assault (against his fellow MP) and inciting violence against an ethnic groups. He also apparently speaks nothing but Finnish. Then we have Laura Huhtasaari (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Huhtasaari), the (according to Languish) hot chick who ran for President a couple of years ago. She's a creationist, fraternizes with borderline Nazi groups, and her greatest international experience was attending Trump's prayer breakfast.

So yeah. :P
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on June 15, 2019, 10:39:34 AM
Quote from: celedhring on May 26, 2019, 04:42:56 PM
Looks like the separatists will win Barcelona. They actually have 40% of the vote but given the election system (which is a bit FPTP when it comes to elect the major) they'll control the city unless there's a very improbable alliance involving Valls, the socialists and the current lefty major.

Well, this actually happened! Kudos to Valls because he went against the wishes of the party he associated with (Cs) and voted for Ada Colau to retain the mayor post, defeating the separatist candidate. In the end, his whole excursion down here was worth something.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 15, 2019, 10:42:24 AM
If you are so happy with this opportunist bastard, you can keep it! :)
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 15, 2019, 10:45:14 AM
In other Benny Hill Loiseau or Macron news:

QuotePresident Emmanuel Macron's handpicked candidate to lead a new centrist alliance in the European Parliament said on Thursday she was pulling out of the race, in a blow to French government influence in the parliament.

Nathalie Loiseau was quoted by Belgian media disparaging allies in Renew Europe, formed by Macron's party and the liberal ALDE, and saying she planned a sweeping overhaul of the grouping, the third biggest in the European Parliament.

Loiseau described the comments, made during an off-record briefing to journalists in Brussels, as "pure fiction" but the leak damaged her credibility just as jostling for the leadership of the bloc intensified.

Loiseau was quoted in Belgium's Le Soir and France's Le Canard Enchaine calling ALDE's longtime leader Guy Verhofstadt "an old git with pent-up frustrations" and branding the conservative EPP's candidate for Commission president an "ectoplasm".

Her remarks on seeking to revamp the centrist grouping meanwhile alarmed those in the alliance wary of Macron gaining too much influence.

An official in Macron's office sought to downplay Loiseau's exit from the race, saying the president's ambitions were in no way diminished.

https://www.euronews.com/2019/06/13/macron-suffers-setback-in-eu-parliament-as-party-pays-price-for-gaffes
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on June 15, 2019, 10:47:59 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 15, 2019, 10:42:24 AM
If you are so happy with this opportunist bastard, you can keep it! :)

He's getting hitched with a local millionaire, so I guess he's staying and living the good life.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 15, 2019, 11:10:40 AM
Quote from: celedhring on June 15, 2019, 10:47:59 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on June 15, 2019, 10:42:24 AM
If you are so happy with this opportunist bastard, you can keep it! :)

He's getting hitched with a local millionaire, so I guess he's staying and living the good life.

Win-win!  :D
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Syt on June 17, 2019, 02:52:12 AM
HC Strache has announced that he will not accept his EU parliament mandate.

This was left up in the air after the Ibiza video leak in which he was shown trying to make a deal with a supposed niece of a Russian oligarch (a decoy) for taking over the country's biggest paper, and trading government contracts with inflated prices for positive coverage, plus advising on how to donate money to the party while avoiding party financing regulations.

After the leak he got 45000 write in votes for the EU parliament, which would secure him a mandate.

In his announcement he thanked those voters who didn't allow themselves to be "manipulated, deceived, or confused."  :wacko:
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on June 17, 2019, 07:58:09 AM
The Citizens party have broken up with Valls after he voted for the reelection of the lefty Barcelona mayor. Talk of the town is that he's going to set up his own shack - he got back his Spanish citizenship months ago, so he could run for election at the regional/national level. My bet is that he's going to end back in the socialist camp in the next 4 years.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Duque de Bragança on June 17, 2019, 04:22:59 PM
Quote from: celedhring on June 17, 2019, 07:58:09 AM
The Citizens party have broken up with Valls after he voted for the reelection of the lefty Barcelona mayor. Talk of the town is that he's going to set up his own shack - he got back his Spanish citizenship months ago, so he could run for election at the regional/national level. My bet is that he's going to end back in the socialist camp in the next 4 years.

*Bis repetita placent*

Opportunistic Valls?
Surprise, surprise!

:lmfao:
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Zanza on July 02, 2019, 02:21:17 PM
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48841980
QuoteUrsula von der Leyen: Merkel ally nominated for EU top job

Ursula von der Leyen's name is unlikely to have cropped up in early conversations as European leaders wrangled over the best candidate to replace Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

But after proposed compromise deals collapsed, Germany's defence minister has emerged from the shadows as their nominee for the top job.

If successful - her nomination requires parliamentary approval - Ms Von der Leyen would be the first woman to take on the Commission presidency, with responsibilities including proposing new EU laws, enforcing the bloc's rules and handling trade deals.

Born in Brussels, her family moved to Germany when she was 13. She studied economics at London's LSE and medicine in Hanover before going into politics.

A close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, she has been a member of Mrs Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) since 2005.

Now 60, Ms Von der Leyen is the mother of seven children, highly unusual in a country where the average birthrate is 1.59 children per woman.

She is seen as a staunch integrationist, backing closer military co-operation in the EU and highlighting earlier this year the "potential Europe has to unify and to promote peace".

Her appointment as German defence minister in 2013 was unexpected and followed three months of coalition talks between the CDU and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).

From that moment, she quickly grew in popularity among the German public. As defence minister in the EU's most industrialised and populous country, she has argued for Germany to boost its military involvement in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

However, her tenure in the defence post has not been without its failures.

In recent years, a litany of stories have exposed inadequacies in Germany's armed forces, from inoperable submarines and aircraft to shortages of personnel.

A report published last year highlighted the shortfalls, saying they were "dramatically" hindering Germany's readiness for combat. It said that no submarines or large transport planes were available for deployment at the end of 2017.

Last week, two German air force jets were involved in a mid-air collision during a military exercise over north-eastern Germany.

While her appointment was initially seen as a fresh start for a Germany ministry beset by problems, Ms Von der Leyen was last year questioned as part of an investigation into spending irregularities.

Her defence department was accused of awarding questionable private contracts to consultants that were said to be worth millions of euros.

She later admitted that a number of errors were made in allocating contracts and that new measures were being implemented to prevent it happening again.

:huh: Eh, what...? Not a big fan. She relied way too much on consultants and could not really change the mess that is the Ministry of Defence, the Bundeswehr and military procurement in Germany to the better. I would not consider her a successful politician in her current role - which she had six years. I guess she's experienced in ministerial jobs (she's been in all of Merkel's cabinets) and also a staunch European federalist, but really... her as EU commission chief. Bizarre. Let's see if the EP confirms her tomorrow.


They also named Christine Lagarde, current head of the IMF as next ECB president. I consider that a very good choice as she obviously has the experience and I had a positive impression of her over the last decade or so beginning with the Euro crisis.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Zanza on July 02, 2019, 02:53:16 PM
A pretty cool map that shows how the various European regions voted:
https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2019-07/european-election-municipalities-eu-states-results-analysis-map
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Valmy on July 02, 2019, 03:14:07 PM
Orban's corrupt nationalist xenophobic party is apparently "center-right" according to that map. I would hate to see a far right party in Hungary. They probably promise blood sacrifices of Romanians, Gypsies, and Refugees.

In East Germany you are either extreme left or extreme right. I see they are nostalgic for the old times.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: The Larch on July 02, 2019, 03:28:14 PM
Quote from: Valmy on July 02, 2019, 03:14:07 PM
Orban's corrupt nationalist xenophobic party is apparently "center-right" according to that map. I would hate to see a far right party in Hungary. They probably promise blood sacrifices of Romanians, Gypsies, and Refugees.

In East Germany you are either extreme left or extreme right. I see they are nostalgic for the old times.

It's based on party affiliation in the European parliament. Fidesz, Orban's party, is part of the European Popular Party, which is labelled center-right. They're currently suspended or something, though, although I doubt they'll finally be expelled.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on July 02, 2019, 05:10:28 PM
Quote from: Zanza on July 02, 2019, 02:21:17 PM
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48841980
QuoteUrsula von der Leyen: Merkel ally nominated for EU top job

Ursula von der Leyen's name is unlikely to have cropped up in early conversations as European leaders wrangled over the best candidate to replace Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

But after proposed compromise deals collapsed, Germany's defence minister has emerged from the shadows as their nominee for the top job.

If successful - her nomination requires parliamentary approval - Ms Von der Leyen would be the first woman to take on the Commission presidency, with responsibilities including proposing new EU laws, enforcing the bloc's rules and handling trade deals.

Born in Brussels, her family moved to Germany when she was 13. She studied economics at London's LSE and medicine in Hanover before going into politics.

A close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, she has been a member of Mrs Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) since 2005.

Now 60, Ms Von der Leyen is the mother of seven children, highly unusual in a country where the average birthrate is 1.59 children per woman.

She is seen as a staunch integrationist, backing closer military co-operation in the EU and highlighting earlier this year the "potential Europe has to unify and to promote peace".

Her appointment as German defence minister in 2013 was unexpected and followed three months of coalition talks between the CDU and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).

From that moment, she quickly grew in popularity among the German public. As defence minister in the EU's most industrialised and populous country, she has argued for Germany to boost its military involvement in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

However, her tenure in the defence post has not been without its failures.

In recent years, a litany of stories have exposed inadequacies in Germany's armed forces, from inoperable submarines and aircraft to shortages of personnel.

A report published last year highlighted the shortfalls, saying they were "dramatically" hindering Germany's readiness for combat. It said that no submarines or large transport planes were available for deployment at the end of 2017.

Last week, two German air force jets were involved in a mid-air collision during a military exercise over north-eastern Germany.

While her appointment was initially seen as a fresh start for a Germany ministry beset by problems, Ms Von der Leyen was last year questioned as part of an investigation into spending irregularities.

Her defence department was accused of awarding questionable private contracts to consultants that were said to be worth millions of euros.

She later admitted that a number of errors were made in allocating contracts and that new measures were being implemented to prevent it happening again.

:huh: Eh, what...? Not a big fan. She relied way too much on consultants and could not really change the mess that is the Ministry of Defence, the Bundeswehr and military procurement in Germany to the better. I would not consider her a successful politician in her current role - which she had six years. I guess she's experienced in ministerial jobs (she's been in all of Merkel's cabinets) and also a staunch European federalist, but really... her as EU commission chief. Bizarre. Let's see if the EP confirms her tomorrow.


They also named Christine Lagarde, current head of the IMF as next ECB president. I consider that a very good choice as she obviously has the experience and I had a positive impression of her over the last decade or so beginning with the Euro crisis.

Lagarde was very good news for us, probably cared more for who got the ECB job than anything else. :D

Josep Borrell has been proposed as HR. I love the guy; he's extremely smart, a staunch European federalist, a Catalan despised by separatists, but there's something he's not, and that's a diplomat. He's got a really strong character that sometimes gets the best of him and he's prone to the odd faux pas.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: celedhring on July 02, 2019, 05:11:51 PM
Will be sad to see Donald Tusk go, btw. He seemed the kind of politician we lack in this day and age; a principled dude that seeks the best possible outcome for everybody instead of GOTCHA! - always thought he was the most sensible head when talking about Brexit.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Solmyr on July 03, 2019, 03:37:38 AM
That's an odd map. Backwater Finland is listed as "liberal", when in fact the biggest party there is the Center Party, which is pretty conservative (basically the farmers'/country folk's party).
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Maladict on July 03, 2019, 07:27:08 AM
Quote from: Solmyr on July 03, 2019, 03:37:38 AM
That's an odd map. Backwater Finland is listed as "liberal", when in fact the biggest party there is the Center Party, which is pretty conservative (basically the farmers'/country folk's party).

They are part of ALDE, so the map is correct. It's about the European parties, not the national ones.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: mongers on July 03, 2019, 08:19:10 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 02, 2019, 05:11:51 PM
Will be sad to see Donald Tusk go, btw. He seemed the kind of politician we lack in this day and age; a principled dude that seeks the best possible outcome for everybody instead of GOTCHA! - always thought he was the most sensible head when talking about Brexit.

Exactly.

The British really need some like him during this unfolding brexit disaster.

Now that he's out of a job, maybe in mid-2020 the broken British regions can ask him to help bring them back into the EU?
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Maladict on July 03, 2019, 08:31:48 AM
Quote from: mongers on July 03, 2019, 08:19:10 AM


Now that he's out of a job, maybe in mid-2020 the broken British regions can ask him to help bring them back into the EU?

Barnier didn't get the job either, he would be even better.  :lol:
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: mongers on July 03, 2019, 08:36:27 AM
Quote from: Maladict on July 03, 2019, 08:31:48 AM
Quote from: mongers on July 03, 2019, 08:19:10 AM


Now that he's out of a job, maybe in mid-2020 the broken British regions can ask him to help bring them back into the EU?

Barnier didn't get the job either, he would be even better.  :lol:

:lol:

Yeah we'd deserve that, being forced to take the medicine, whilst being gently reminded of our past failings. 
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Iormlund on July 03, 2019, 10:17:24 AM
The UK has plenty of reasonable voices in Parliament (eg. Stewart, Bercrow). The problem is the country itself (and with it both main parties) are torn in two.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Zanza on July 16, 2019, 11:34:12 AM
The election is today, just ongoing, no result yet.

QuoteWhat is the European Commission?

The European Commission is the institution of the European Union that is responsible for proposing new EU laws, representing the EU internationally, and ensuring that EU law is being followed by Member States. It is headed by a body of 28 College of Commissioners, 1 per Member State, which provide the political leadership of the institution.

The President of the European Commission heads the institution, helping to steer it in a certain political direction. They also represent the EU internationally such as at G7 and G20 summits.
How does the election work?

On the 2 July 2019, the European Council nominated Ursula von der Leyen to become President of the European Commission.

During this session of the European Parliament Ursula von der Leyen will set out her goals as commissioner and there will be a subsequent debate by MEPs.

Ursula von der Leyen has to receive an absolute majority of the European Parliament to be confirmed, which currently corresponds to 374 MEPs (as 4 MEP seats are currently missing).

MEPs will be voting by secret ballot, so it cannot be determined how individual MEPs voted.

The vote starts at 18:00 CEST and the result should be known between 19:00 and 20:00 CEST.
Who is the candidate?

Ursula von der Leyen is the current German defence minister. The European Council nominated her as President-designate on 2 July 2019. She would be the first female President of the European Commission, and the 2nd German President. She would also be the 3rd consecutive EPP President.

Von der Leyen was not designated as a 'lead candidate' (Spitzenkandidat) by a European political party, meaning she did not campaign in the elections or take part in debates.

Regardless of the outcome of the vote, she will resign as the German defence minister as of Wednesday.
Where do the political groups stand?

Political groups are groups of MEPs that share a political affiliation and priorities in the European Parliament.

    European People's Party - for

    Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats - for

    Renew Europe - for

    Greens/European Free Alliance - against

    Identity and Democracy - against

    European Conservatives and Reformists - no formal decision yet, but less likely to support the nominee because the ECR candidate for the Employment and Social Affairs committee was rejected

    European United Left/Nordic Green Left - against

As the vote is a secret ballot, it cannot be determined if MEPs actually followed their party line. Therefore, there may be rebels.


Her proposed policies:
QuoteCommitments

In meetings with political groups, von der Leyen has made various commitments and promises as to what she would do with her Presidency. She will also provide a set of Political Guidelines that will be the Commission's programme for the next 5 years.

The known proposals and suggestions are listed here:

Climate Policy:

    Making the EU climate-neutral by 2050, with this ambition being put into law within the first 100 days of her mandate

    The EU's targets for CO2 reduction for 2030 should be at least 50% compared to 1990 levels

    A commitment to put forward a "comprehensive plan" to increase the EU's target to cut emissions "towards" a 55% reduction by 2030. This plan would be published by 2021.

    The extension of the Emissions Trading System to include aviation and transport, with a consideration of including traffic and construction

    The introduction of a Carbon Border Tax

    Support for transitioning regions through a "Just Transition Fund"

    Parts of the European Investment Bank to be turned into a European Climate Bank

    The introduction of a Sustainable Europe Investment Plan

    The monitoring of the EU's climate trajectory by an independent council of scientists

Economic Policy:

    Continuing to use the flexibility within the Stability and Growth Pact to support a "more growth-friendly fiscal stance in the euro area while safeguarding fiscal responsibility"

    Helping to deliver a "Budgetary Instrument for Competitiveness and Convergence" in the euro area, some form of Eurozone budget.

    Proposing a European Unemployment Benefit Reinsurance Scheme

    Work towards completing the banking union

    The European Semester system of budgetary coordination to be refocused to take the UN's Sustainable Development Goals into account

    Supporting a common consolidated corporate tax base

    The "taxation of big companies" as a priority, working to turn the current Commission proposals into EU law

Social Policy:

    An action plan for the "full implementation" of the European Pillar of Social Rights

    A "legal instrument" that would ensure every worker in the EU has a "fair minimum wage that allows them a decent living in the country they work in"

    A "European Child Guarantee" to be established, which would "help ensure every child in Europe at risk of poverty or social exclusion has the most basic of rights"

    The European Social Fund to be more focused on supporting childcare

    The Youth Guarantee to be turned into a permanent instrument to fight youth unemployment, with additional budgetary resources and regular reporting on its progress

    Improving the conditions of platform workers

    "Revitalising" the European anti-discrimination directive

Gender:

    Proposal for an EU gender equality strategy, including measures to introduce binding pay transparency measures

    Working towards an unblocking of the "Women on Boards" Directive, which would introduce quotas for gender balance on company boards

    The formation of a gender-balanced College of Commissioners

    All levels of Commission management to have gender balance by the end of the mandate

    Supports the EU joining the Istanbul Convention

    Proposal to add violence against women on the list of EU crimes defined in the Treaty

Rule of Law:

    Supporting an "additional comprehensive European Rule of Law Mechanism", with EU wide scope and "objective annual reporting"

    Attempting to ensure a greater role for the European Parliament in the mechanism

    Focus on "tighter enforcement, using recent judgements of the Court of Justice showing the impact of rule of law breaches on EU law as a basis"

    Support for the Commission's proposal to link MFF funds to adhere to the rule of law

    Frans Timmermans, the current First Vice President of the European Commission, to keep the Rule of Law portfolio if he wants to

Migration:

    Proposal of a "New Pact on Migration and Asylum", with a "relaunch" of the Dublin system and a "new way of burden sharing"

    Supporting the Frontex standing corps getting 10000 border guards by 2024 instead of 2027

Trade:

    Every new trade agreement agreed in her mandate to have a dedicated sustainable development chapter which respects "the highest" climate, environmental and labour protections and does not tolerate child labour

    Appointment of a Chief Trade Enforcement Officer to improve the compliance and enforcement of FTAs, and reports back to the EP

    Commission to propose that the provisional application of FTAs only takes place once and if the EP has given its consent

    Ensuring Commissioners debrief the EP at all stages of international negotiations

EU Enlargement:

    Reaffirms the "European perspective" of the Western Balkans

    Standing behind the proposals to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania

Democracy and Institutional:

    The establishment of a "Conference on the Future of Europe", which would start in 2020 and last for 2 years. It should be well prepared with a defined scope, agreed between the EP, Council and Commission. It should bring together citizens, civil society, and European institutions

    A commitment to follow up on the main issues of the Conference, including potential Treaty change and legislative action

    Supporting a "right of initiative for the European Parliament", where if an absolute majority of MEPs adopt a resolution asking the Commission to propose something, the Commission will respond with a legislative act, "in full respect of proportionality, subsidiarity and better law making principles"

    Proposal to broker talks between the European Parliament and the European Council

    Address the issue of transnational lists

    Improve the Spitzenkandidaten system to make it more visible to the wider electorate

    The Conference on the Future of Europe should come forward with legislative and other proposals on these matters by no later than summer 2020

    Commission to follow up these proposals where it has the competence and will support the EP in amending the electoral law and securing the agreement in the Council, with new rules in place for the 2024 elections

    Supporting a movement towards full co-decision powers for the EP and away from unanimity voting in the Council for climate, energy, social and taxation policies

    Support for the extension of qualified majority voting to external relations

    The College of Commissioners to consist of "two executive vice presidents", in addition to the High Representative, with a First Vice President who will replace the President in their absence.

    A less hierarchical College with more inclusive leadership and work culture, with more transparency

Brexit:

    Supports the backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and EU

    Would be in favour of a further extension to the Article 50 process if more time is required and "good reasons are provided"

As a convinced Euro-federalist, I broadly support her policies presented here.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Zanza on July 16, 2019, 12:35:55 PM
The EU parliament confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission with 383-327 votes (majority needed was 374 votes). She will lead the EU Commission - basically the executive and administration of the EU - for the next five years.
Title: Re: European Parliament elections 2019
Post by: Maladict on July 16, 2019, 01:12:13 PM
I hope she's serious about the climate plans. Otherwise it all looks fine to me.