'Portuguese support the Lisbon Treaty because it was settled here'

Maria do Céu Neves is a reporter for the Portuguese newspaper Diário de Noticias. In 2007, she won the European 'For diversity, against discrimination' journalism award for her article,'The Portuguese contribute to new slavery in Europe', which appeared in several European newspapers, including NRC Handelsblad.

In the run-up to the European elections, what issues are being debated in your country?

"In Portugal, there are not only European elections this year but also local and parliamentary elections. The European elections are definitely not considered as important in the political and public arena as the national elections in September are. So what we do hear about the European elections here is pure propaganda and promotion to get people to vote. The expected turnout is just 24 percent, while only 8 percent of the Portuguese know the elections are held on June 7.

"There are a couple of issues that bring some heat to the campaign. The leading candidate for the Socialist party, Vital Moreira, has proposed a European tax system, an idea that has provoked a lot of discussion. Another hot topic is immigration.

"And, of course, an important subject of public debate is whether José Manuel Barroso should be president of the European Commission for a second term. My personal opinion is that he should, and I guess most parties are in favour of a second term for Barroso."

A key issue in European politics is market ideology. In your country, is there debate about whether the market ideology of Brussels needs to be defended or even strengthened?

"There isn't much public debate about market ideology. People just accept the common market, but many do want Brussels to offer some social security. Portugal is a poor country, with high unemployment. In the first quarter of this year, unemployment rose to 8.9 percent. That is an issue, as are wages and salaries. These should be levelled throughout Europe, is the public opinion here. That objective could be achieved through Brussels."

Another key issue is euroscepticism. Would you say that, in your country, support for the EU has changed? In what way?

"There is no real eurosceptic attitude in Portugal. People accept our country is now part of the EU and therefore the discussion focuses on what Portugal can accomplish within the union. Of course, when the euro was introduced in 2002, there was a period of complaining about rising prices. But people see the EU brought many good things; they just want Portugal to have more power. What kind of power, or on which subject? Well, we need ány kind of power, in my point of view.”

How would voters in your country like the EU to develop itself? Do they support the Lisbon treaty?

"I am convinced the majority of the Portuguese has no clue what the Lisbon Treaty is about. Those who do have some clue as to what it is about will support the treaty for the simple fact that it was settled here in Lisbon. But people are positive about Brussels taking charge of more international issues. For instance, the Portuguese are in favour of Europe as a joint political power, they want the institution to bring more counterweight to the Unites States. They are not reluctant to shift more power to Europe.”

Could you name an anecdote that captures the atmosphere around the European elections in your country?

"We have this weekly comedy show on television. Recently, it featured an item about the European elections. 'If you vote on the June 7, you'll win a car', was the punchline. That joke says it all: people just won't go.”