As Europe's left failed to capitalise on widespread concerns over the recession, Europe’s voters said no to protectionism and nationalization.
Despite losing marginally, the conservative EPP remains the largest group in the European Parliament with 267 seats. The socialists group PSE, losing 5,6% in popular representation, comes out with only 159 MEPs according to official estimates. The liberal group is predicted to have 84 seats (75 coming from ELDR), thus making them the third largest group in the European Union's only directly elected institution.
Turnout slumped to 43.6 percent, down from 45.5 percent in 2004 and the lowest rate ever. Some 388 million people were eligible to vote in the world's biggest transnational elections which were spread over four days.
Aloys Rigaut, President of European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) states: 'Centre-left parties in power in Britain, Spain and Portugal were sanctioned by their electorates while their allies in opposition in Germany and France suffered brutal losses. The vote marks a painful defeat for Socialists across Europe. In contrast, we liberals are set to strengthen our influence in the next European Parliament as our share of MEPs compared to 2004 is increasing: we keep about 75 ELDR MEPs whilst the total number of MEPs is decreasing. The coming weeks will say what the future reserves, but what we now call for is an ideological alliance between EPP and Liberals based on a genuine political programme, and not the repetition of the past technical power-sharing agreement between Conservatives and Socialists. We owe this to our electors!'
Alexander Plahr, Vice President of the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) adds: 'This is an excellent day for liberalism and an excellent day for Europe! I am especially pleased that many young candidates got elected and will be able to influence EU politics in the years to come. However, besides the many gains we liberals have made in many member states, there is still room for improvement. Voters have been choosing representatives mainly based on national issues. This has to change in the future – we want to see a truly European election, not 27 national ones! For this, it is necessary to do more Europe-wide and personalized campaigns in the future - for example about who should become President of the Commission!'
