Dutch election threat to EU ‘collective interest’

Early publication of EU election results in the Netherlands could influence other national polls for the European Parliament, Brussels has warned.

EU commission treaty enforcers are concerned that the wider European interest could be threatened as citizens go to the polls in Europe’s biggest ever vote.

“We consider the collective European interest is at stake,” said a Brussels spokesman.

National polls to elect MEPs take place over three days – kicking off on June 10 in the UK and the Netherlands – and governments, except The Hague, have agreed to hold back results until 10.00pm on June 13.

The European Commission is concerned that the publication of Dutch results – expected to show a swing to eurosceptics and a strong protest vote against the government – could swing other votes that have yet to take place.

“All European voters are guaranteed elections that are not influenced by outside factors. The publication of results may have an influence on voting in a particular region or area,” said a spokesman.

EU officials will be keenly watching the impact of any Dutch results on other elections over the weekend before consulting commission lawyers on Monday.

Electoral authorities in the Netherlands insist that results published on June 10 will not give the final breakdown of Dutch seats for the European Parliament.

Officials disagree claiming that figures will indicate with "certainty of 98 per cent to 99 per cent" the outcome of a fight for 27 MEPs.

But a Brussels spokesman was unable to spell out the precise nature of the Dutch threat to EU-wide elections integrity.

“It can influence, I have no evidence, no one has any evidence", he said.

“I can not elaborate on the risk but risk exists.”

“Evaluation can only be done afterwards.”

Legal action against the Netherlands could mar The Hague's turn at the tiller of the EU's rotating presidency, which begins in July.

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