European vote begins

‘Apathy’ is expected to be the winner in European elections with UK and Dutch voters the first to head for the polls on Thursday.

Predictions of low turnout for EU-wide votes that finish on Sunday are expected to mar elections that are a key political test for an enlarged and more integrated Europe.

Eurosceptics are expected to make gains in both Britain and the Netherlands - and the Dutch government could be headed for a rendez-vous in the EU courts for revealing Thursday’s elections results as soon as ballot papers are counted.

European law rules that poll outcomes must be held back until all Europe has voted, at 10.00pm on June 13.

The European Parliament is the EU’s only directly elected institution in a Europe of 450 million citizens.

But as national campaigns reach their climax MEPs, political parties and many commentators are asking how many Europeans will turn up for the vote?

Polls for the European Commission and parliament have shown that turnout could be as low as a third or as high as 48 per cent – 49 per cent voted in 1999.

Only countries with compulsory voting - Greece – 66 per cent in 1999, Belgium – 91 per cent and Luxembourg, 73 per cent
- record turnouts at levels necessary to give unpopular EU institutions much needed democratic legitimacy.

Since the last election in 1999, the introduction of the euro, enlargement and accelerating political integration make the 2004 poll a key political test of the European vision.

Proposals for an EU constitution – which may or may not be ready in time for the election – will double the legislative clout of MEPs giving the parliament a more central role at the heart of political Europe.

But as the role of the EU and the European Parliament grows its appeal is in steep decline – and seems to be accelerating.

Participation fell by 4.5 per cent in the first decade of elections and then 9.1 per cent in the second.

Turnout in the UK was 1999’s lowest at 24 per cent, and figures could be boosted or discredited in 2004 with the introduction of postal ballots and a row over electoral fraud.

British eurosceptics are expected to benefit from high poll ‘no shows’ and widespread public disillusionment with London’s Iraq policy.

Participation in the Netherlands – 38 per cent in 1999 – may well drop in a vote that, again, is expected to punish the incumbent government and benefit EU critics.

Dutch leader Jan Peter Balkenade is also under fire from Brussels for his plans to make election results known as soon as votes are counted.

The Hague's intention to rush out figures the results breaches rules enshrined in European treaties.

With polling for the European elections extending over a three day period, the timetable aims to prevent one national result influencing later polls in other countries.

The commission has confirmed that the Dutch authorities have been sent a letter warning of legal proceedings if they go ahead with an early announcement.

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