european blogging competition
Election Campaign (Finally) Kicks Off
In contrast to the US elections, the campaign for the European Parliament elections will be fought within a very short period of time. The parties seemingly agree on this because they release their manifestos at a late date and then start arguing. I think this is a big mistake, but it's the way things are and we can't change it in this election.
So - only now has the campaign finally started with an exchange between the PES (social democrats) and the ELDR. The PES has replied to the ELDR's proposal to further liberalise public services with a letter signed by its president Poul-Nyrup Rasmussen. The ELDR has put up a reply which has been signed by its own president, Annemie Neyts. Jon Worth has given constructive criticism of the PES letter, and Julien Frisch has put up the letters side by side (so to speak).
Stephen Spillane has already provided some meta-commentary to the extent that fighting the election with open letters will be quite boring. True! But that's the campaign we get. There is some more discussion in this comment thread on the European Tribune, including a brilliant IFYPFY by ThatBritGuy.
What do you all think?
So - only now has the campaign finally started with an exchange between the PES (social democrats) and the ELDR. The PES has replied to the ELDR's proposal to further liberalise public services with a letter signed by its president Poul-Nyrup Rasmussen. The ELDR has put up a reply which has been signed by its own president, Annemie Neyts. Jon Worth has given constructive criticism of the PES letter, and Julien Frisch has put up the letters side by side (so to speak).
Stephen Spillane has already provided some meta-commentary to the extent that fighting the election with open letters will be quite boring. True! But that's the campaign we get. There is some more discussion in this comment thread on the European Tribune, including a brilliant IFYPFY by ThatBritGuy.
What do you all think?
Add a Comment
-
Comment by chris-eblana on April 21, 2009 at 3:35am -
that is exactly what is wrong with european politics.how on earth will people get interested in EU, europe and it's politics, if they are not being given any time to think, debate, watch debates, and be incited to participate in european elections and topics...
the whole thing seems like our leaders or the european political parties are doing it just because they have to, just out or obligation......
we need longer debate and campaign for europe before every european election......then many wonder why people do not even bother to turn up and vote....why should they...?? who explains them what each party stands for,and who are their MEPs and what they do...and when do they ever see any debate in the european parliament in their television so that they can sit,watch and learn or make their minds up.....
if european leaders and european political parties won't take this half as serious as our american "cousins", i am afraid the european project will fail...for what is a parliament if it is not representing the majority of the people that is supposed to represent,and what is a democracy without a functioning parliament..??
-
Comment by Stephen Spillane on April 18, 2009 at 8:36pm - Seriously though, open letters? Is that the best the PES can come up with? As if my parents, who vote in every election, would take an interest in them and vote on what they say. As usual the fault that National Campaigns dominate is at the door of the European campaigns so far. I wonder will the EPP be any better?? But I doubt
© 2010 Created by Arne Grauls
You need to be a member of TH!NK ABOUT IT to add comments!
Join TH!NK ABOUT IT