Record low turnout expected in EU elections

Only 34 percent of European Union citizens say they will vote in the European parliament elections on June 4-7, a survey suggests.

Only 47 percent of Dutch people plan to vote in the European parliamentary elections on June 4-7, and the European Union average is just 34 percent, according to a new survey.

Highest in Belgium

The survey commissioned by the European Parliament was conducted in January and February and comprised more than 27,000 EU citizens in the 27 member states. It was released on Tuesday.

Belgians topped the list with 70 percent saying they would probably vote, while Poles were at the bottom with just 13 percent, according to the Eurobarometer poll. The figure for Belgium was still low though, considering the country has compulsory voting and people who fail to turn up a polling booths risk a fine.

Voter turnout at European Parliament elections has declined steadily and reached a low of 46 percent in 2004, down from 62 percent in 1979. Turnout in 2004 was lowest in the ten new member states, mostly in Eastern Europe, with the lowest turnout in Slovakia and Poland, at 17 percent and 21 percent respectively.

Referendum redux

In the Netherlands, 39 percent of those eligible to vote turned out in 2004. However, in June of 2006, 63 percent voted in a referendum on the European constitution, which was then rejected by 61.6 percent of Dutch voters. Both eurosceptics and those with pro-European sentiments say the polarisation of both camps could lead to a higher turnout in the Netherlands.

"I think we will have a situation comparable to the referendum," says Peter Kanne, a Dutch pollster with TNS-NIPO. "Eurosceptic parties like the Socialist Party and the Party for Freedom will try to rally voters with a simple, anti-European message. I tkink this will have a catalyst effect on both pro- and anti-European voters."

In Britain, 30 percent of respondents said they would definitely not vote - far more than in other EU member state. The next largest "definitely not" group was in Poland, with 19 percent. The average across the EU was 15 percent.

The only countries in the survey where the majority of voters indicated they would vote in the European election were Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg and Malta.

Young voters drive

Interest among young people in the election was especially low, and the European commission plans to woo young voters with election ads broadcast by MTV Networks, which include Music Television (MTV), VH1, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.

Three TV spots will show young people hanging loudspeakers in London, Paris and Rome. MTV is also inviting young people to take part in a "roaring sound wave" across Europe on April 30, when they will all shout "Can you hear me Europe?" There is also an interactive website.

In the June elections, 736 members of the European parliament will be elected by proportional representation to represent some 500 million EU citizens. The vote is being billed as the largest trans-national election in history.

The powers of the European carliament have steadily increased with each revision of the European treaties. It shares legislative power with the Council of the European Union - composed of 27 national ministers, one per member state - and also has budgetary powers. In addition, it has supervisory powers and can set up committees of inquiry to examine violations of EU law in member states.

Video: Lenny Kravitz speaks about Europe on the Can you hear me Europe? website.