Libertas.org

Voters are using European Parliament elections to punish their national parties and governments with more eurosceptic MEPs expected to be elected in future. This is the conclusion of two political scientists at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies (MPIfG) in Cologne.

The scientists conducted their research to test whether the traditional conception of European votes being more about national issues and dissatisfaction with the national government. However, their research has suggested this may not entirely be the case.

But why is this? National governments tend to focus more on their own national interests, with European Union membership considered an afterthought when it comes to presenting issues to the voters. The current constitution reform treaty negotiations are a perfect example, all 27 memberstates are agreeing on what the text should be, giving little chance of the elected representatives (be they MEPs or National representatives) to have their say on behalf of their voters - and what role to the elected representatives play in the treaty negotiations? When was the last time you heard about your local MEP - do you even know who they are?

The real problem is that MEP and European election candidates are failing to engage with the electorate, to tell them about their vision of Europe and why they want to serve in parliament, because they are part of national political parties, more concerned with what is happening locally, than on the european and global stage.

More eurosceptic candidates are appearing who are pointing the problems with europe. The inherent weakness of the European Parliament at present means that it fails to engage with the people of europe.

The current European Parliament parties are nothing more than technical voting groups made up of nationally interested MEPS. Nations have national parties, is it time for Europe to have a proper European party?

You can read the report in full here (German only).