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Making sense of the 2014 European Parliament elections Michiel van Hulten, Managing Director, VoteWatch Europe Eurocommerce, Brussels, 2 8 May 2014. Our final prediction. Provisional results. 2014. 2009. Profit-loss account. Key characteristics.
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Making sense of the 2014 European Parliament elections Michiel van Hulten, Managing Director, VoteWatch Europe Eurocommerce, Brussels, 28 May 2014
Provisional results 2014 2009
Key characteristics • Turnout stabilised at 43% after continuous decline since 1979 • Numbers shift from the centre to the extremes (especially on the right) • No fundamental change in left-right balance • No longer one single dominant political group
Balance of power - EPP • FR, IT, ES down • DE, PL , CZ up • DE remains largest
Balance of power – S&D • CZ, GR, HU, PL down • DE, IT, RO, UK up • IT largest
Balance of power - ALDE • DE, UK down • HR, CZ, DK, ET, FI, FR, GR, • HU, LI, NL, SK, ES up • ES largest
Key post-election steps • Nomination of Commission President • Formation of EP political groups • Election of EP political group leaders • Election of EP President and V-Ps • Election of Committee Chairs • Election of Commission President • Nomination of new Commissioners, hearing, confirmation vote
Policy impact • Less support for strengthening EU and EP powers • No centre-left or centre-right majority, but attendance could have big impact • Probably no far right group, but lots of far right MEPs • Hemicycle arithmetic forces mainstream parties to work together • Majorities more volatile
Possible coalitions (%) PRO-EU ANTI-EU
Possible coalitions (%) Centre-right Centre-left
Policy impact Economy • Less support for austerity • More calls for public spending • Push for tax harmonisation? • More regulation of the financial sector
Policy impact Trade and internal market • Lengthier and more difficult negotiations on TTIP • Greater resistance to strengthening the internal market for services
Policy impact Energy • Nuclear power will continue to be seen as playing a key role • Shale gas and oil exploration – EP majority likely positive • Support for pan-EU energy infrastructure
Michiel van Hulten, Managing Director michiel@votewatcheurope.eu www.votewatch.eu @VoteWatchEurope /VoteWatchEurope