Pyotr Skubishevski
Institute of Social and Economic Affairs
Member of Warsaw city council
Warsaw
Exclusively for 168 Zham
As a result of the European Parliament elections in Poland on June 7 the right-centralist Civic Platform won with 45% of votes. Since 1989 it was the biggest victory of this political power, which encouraged the ruling political power and prime minister Donald Tusk. “The government got a new vote of trust,” announced Tusk. However, the voter turnout was rather low.
The voter turnout in the European Parliament elections in Poland was 24%. What is the reason for such low turnout? It is a fact that the reason of such indifference of the polish people is not discontent concerning the EU’s policy. It is the vice versa because the EU is quite attractive for the polish people, especially due to the financial support they provide. Generally in 2007-2013 Poland will receive 87 billion Euro from the EU, which will be spent on developing the infrastructures, human capital, environmental protection, agriculture and support to small and medium businesses. Poland has not suffered from the economic crisis so much and even it may be one of the rare EU countries, which had a positive economic growth in 2009. Besides the financial support the EU membership provides Poland with a number of other opportunities in relation to free movement of goods and services, labor and capital. The Polish people can travel to European countries without a passport, study there without additional permits and work mostly without limitations. Together with all the mentioned benefits they don’t take part in the formation of the institutions giving them this opportunity to enjoy the mentioned benefits. There are 4 main reasons for low turnout and participation, which are the following:
1. They don’t think that politicians can change anything to a positive development or fulfill their promises;
2. Lack of information concerning the European Parliament elections and generally the role of this institution in the process of decision on part of the EU;
3. The general opinion that the role of the new members of the EU in the European policy is very small;
4. Inactivity of politicians to raise the level of providing information concerning European institutions, values and democracy;
It is a pity that the EP elections were mere beautiful demonstration of PR strategies in Poland and were not directly connected with the real political platforms. Plus, they don’t discuss the issues with ordinary citizens so much. It is also concerning that the politicians seem not to have a will to improve the situation, which jeopardizes democracy and people’s participation in political processes. The same thing is not common in Poland only but the other countries of the world as well. For this purpose, in Poland and elsewhere in the world politics should be more transparent, realistic, accountable and eventually targeted at people. Otherwise we will have democracy without roots – without the trust of people.
During the elections of the European Parliament citizens elect parties and in some countries independent MPs as well. In the European Parliament there are factions, which involve such parties too. Currently the right centralist European Democratic (the European Democrats) party has the biggest share of representation in the parliament (264 mandates). The socialists are in the second place with 161 mandates, in the next place are the liberals with 80 mandates, the greens with 53 mandates, the United Lefts with 32, The European Nations Union with 35 and independent MPs with 18 places. The others who endorse the radical right direction have received 93 mandates during the recent elections.
This supplement has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content of this supplement is the sole responsibility of “168 Hours” Newspaper and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union