International Politics Thread

[denoir 0]

No you don't, I looked through all the voting ballots they gave us, and its German candidates for German parties.

Theres also a small blue one with Germans (in German parties) for the European parliament.

In other words, its a load of crap. Its the EU, I am an EU member citizen, I should be able to vote for MY people from anywhere in the Union.

Yeah, it can be a bit confusing as a candidate has both a national party belonging as well as a european party belonging. The relevant thing however is how they vote, which is by euorpean party. You vote for a German representative for the European Parliament.

Bottom line however, in the EP they vote party-wise or even more often block-wise. So it's pretty irrelevant which national party the candidate belongs to. Or in effect country for that matter. And yes, this can lead to a MEP voting for something that his national party is against.

[Frisbee 0]

First time voting, and I'll probably vote VLD (liberal).

Why you ask? Since socialists and 'Groen!' (enviromentally conscious, 'green' party) have, in my eyes been wasting money on things that go well with the public but have a detrimental effect on economy, they are exluded. Since I don't believe in parties who list their religious beliefs in their name, and am not about to vote for our cherished right winged Vlaams Blok, those are ticked off in my list and I am left with VLD.

I'm quite excited about my first time voting (note that voting is compulsory here), especially since I take an interest to politics (even though I'm hardly an authority on the subject )

Also, I helped organise a political project in our school, it involved two voting rounds. One before the actual event, then another after every class had an hours worth of chatting time with a member from each major political party, and after a debate between those representatives.

I don't have the exact results on me, but the socialist party came out on top, they advertised themselves very well, sending one of their big names (Said El Khadraoui, not quite sure about the spelling) who has already served a term in the EP. Quite interesting to see how a charismatic person can sway the votes of many indecisive people very well.

[IsthatyouJohnWayne 0]

Im frankly still not sure who im going to vote for in the euros, theres local council elections and Euro elections all in one day. At the local level i may be voting for my local Labour MP because im -relatively- happy with whats happened (excluding ludicrous council tax) at the local level and the other parties i either hate or am not convinced by as an alternative. But at the European level i cant really see any one party i particularly identify with above the rest, they all have policies (or deficiences) that disincline me from wanting to vote for them.

Conservatives- 'We dont hate foreigners, hey some of our best friends are european like , um....'

Labour- From the people who brought you the Iraq war....comes more of the same

Liberal Democrat- Apart from their lacklustre leader and slightly obscure ideological basis (are they now supposed to be left or right of labour?) i cant actually see how the Lib Dems are radically different from Labour in the EU context, apart from being probably a little bit more federalist and pro integrationist (but thats because theyre not in power nationally), i dont entirely trust them and i doubt theyll actually be able to do a lot of what they pledge.

Greens- Tree hugging, pot smoking hippies, hmm...sounds like fun.

UK Independence Party- They want Britain to leave the European Union. I can sympathise with certain of their arguments but leaving the EU would probably not be a good move (and seems somehow wrong for anyone who thinks humankind should be coming together rather than falling further apart).

British National Party- 'We hate foreigners. Come join the fun.' No thanks.

+independants, one issue parties etc

I guess i could vote LIB DEM but would there be any real improvement or contrast between them and Labour? They both talk about reform and cutting down on inefficiency, ridding the EU of the unfair common agricultural and fisheries policies. Their views on employment and social issues are, in a european context, roughly the same. Im tempted to vote for the UK Independance Party for 'fun' and it could even possibly give sluggish reform a kick up the arse (e.g. do we REALLY need to have two parliaments and keep moving back and forth between them?- hell why dont we just build a new parliament every year...its only taxpayers money) but i probably wont.

[PSC 0]

I don't see any real difference in politics of the social party and the christian democratic party goals. At least not on a German scale (but I admit, I'm not very interested in politics at all). The opposition (may it be social or christian democratics) always want the opposite of the leading party and vice versa. And since I always voted for the greens I'll vote for the greens in the EU parliament as well. Even if I don't know exactly what they want to archive. It can't be totally wrong. To save nature and bring independent education forward is one of my biggest concerns to a political party. Even if it would cost jobs in some areas.

[Bordoy 0]

First things first i'm no using quotes as it tskes to much time and i want to go to bed. sorry about that.

Someone said he's gonna vote left, does he mean left wing if so i thought they are mainly pro-europeans. Or is that a party? Sorry for unstanding if i have.

The parties for the UK are:

Labour

Conservative

Liberal Democrats

British National Party

UK Independance Party

Green Party

Respect

(and also 2 independant candidates)

[EiZei 0]

Someone said he's gonna vote left, does he mean left wing if so i thought they are mainly pro-europeans. Or is that a party? Sorry for unstanding if i have.

Your mileage may vary, many far-left parties oppose the EU. For example, the communist party here demands immediate abolishment of our euro membership and a popular vote before accepting the european constitution. Social democrats on the other hand tend to support EU but so do the conservatives here.

[denoir 0]

The same thing in Sweden. The left is anti-EU while the right is pro-EU.

[Bordoy 0]

The same thing in Sweden. The left is anti-EU while the right is pro-EU.

Oh, well its the opposite over here. The right-wing parties (BNP, UKIP) want to get out the EU. While the left wing (Labour, Liberal Democrats) want to stay in, and agree to new constitution. The Conservatives want to stay but do not agree to new constitution.

[Badassdom 0]

over here NL most party's(?) are pro EU (very trade based economy) but some want less and others want more EU regulation

[maximilien 0]

Hello, speaking about european elections, you remembered me why yesterday the "eurocrates" that i have meet seems so nervous. (I live and work in "Bruxelles Centre"). I laugh always when an american citizen criticise the expenses from his administration... -Dear americans, come and see here ! I was very chocked and annoyed by the "savoir vivre" of some CD (Diplomatic corps) from my beloved European Union (to candid i think) I have some redundant examples: A "Cd" driver(owner) yelling and annoying a police car... because the policeman was disturbing the traffic when he was in duty...

In a meeting with the contractors from the "Berlaymont", we have "been verbaly invited" by representants from de EU commission to not respect the laws of security concerning the lift's use.

I was chocked! In my studies, i have learned Eurocodes concerning methodology and "normes" to

work, and when i must apply this laws IN BUILDINGS FROM THE E.U. they invite us to be competitive and face security prejudices.

-DO WHAT I SAY BUT DON'T DO WHAT I DO ! This representants from the commission are not good examples.... They give me a rotten picture from the european commission.

-They don't participe in the belgian social community (its like lobbies groups)they live each in their biotope, they exchange socialy nothing (Metro,work, sleep) I meet the english and the Irish guy's in pubs, the spanishs in "bares a tapas", scandinaves in libraries (it is so caricatural....),

Well i'm spanish and i'm ashamed by the lack of social investment from my fellows compatriots, we live in an aquarium. When i speek whith flemish guys they say always the E.U. is the Heel from Babel ! It's like a Kafka story. I must assure you that i speek not about a vast majority from the E.U. employes and representants but i know some sad stories (advantages that are a form of corruption, black work,

nepotism, favoritism and biased examinations to obtein a job...) The E.U. in Brussel is for me like

Alice in wonderland...(I was a lot "Candide" about the E.U. I have a lot of stories to tell...pfff) The scandal from the erasmus project is nothing in comparaison with some E.U. methods.

And I VOTE--- this is the most important (I know now for what europe i will)

I m sorry for my bad english.

[Frisbee 0]

Ah yes, the eurocrat ghetto's in Belgium.

They do live in a world of their own, nice big villa's at the towns at the edge of Brussels.

I went to school with some sons and daughters of people who work for the eu in brussels, and they're typically wealtier than the cliched doctor's or lawyers son.

Of course there is corruption and self interest, but this doesn't detract too much from the things the eu can achieve (imho).

[Bordoy 0]

Meeting backfires against Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Green Party.

[MLF 0]

ill probally vote UKIP purely for irony.

[denoir 0]

ill probally vote UKIP purely for irony.

While I would not mind the UK leaving the Union, I would urge you not to vote for parties that have no other agenda but a "no to EU". The reason is that the European Parliament has absolutely nothing to say on membership issues. It doesn't have a say on the constitution either. It does on the other hand have a lot of say on a shitload of practical laws. So parties that haven't got a wider political agenda will only obstruct the decision process. And like it or not but UK is in the EU now and what sabotages for the EU sabotages directly for Britain as well.

If you want the UK out of the EU then you should vote for a party that wants that when you have national elections. To the EP you should vote for people who's political positions you agree with on the conventional range of subjects(work, education, environment etc).

[Postduifje 0]

The same thing in Sweden. The left is anti-EU while the right is pro-EU.

It's not quite so in the Netherlands. All save a few very small parties are pro-european, but right tends to say we gave to much power away while left wants to go a bit further. I'l l vote left, not only for that matter (Verts/ALE Group that is I think)

[-33ker 0]

I don't see any real difference in politics of the social party and the christian democratic party goals. At least not on a German scale (but I admit, I'm not very interested in politics at all). The opposition (may it be social or christian democratics) always want the opposite of the leading party and vice versa. And since I always voted for the greens I'll vote for the greens in the EU parliament as well. Even if I don't know exactly what they want to archive. It can't be totally wrong. To save nature and bring independent education forward is one of my biggest concerns to a political party. Even if it would cost jobs in some areas.

IMO the greens are the only party wich still has some integrity.

I still have to decide whether I'll vote the greens or SPD (social democrats). I think Martin Schulz is a good candidate because he had the balls to attack Berlusconi when he became President of the EU.

[Bordoy 0]

Moslem extremists cause riot by stealing postal votes in Birmingham

Labour party members fighting muslims? Never would of thought that could ever happen.

[EiZei 0]

Moslem extremists cause riot by stealing postal votes in Birmingham

Labour party members fighting muslims? Never would of thought that could ever happen.

Any more legimate sources on this?..

[billybob2002 0]

Quote[/b] ]Any more legimate sources on this?..

Where did I hear the BNP before...

[Llauma 0]

British National Party is a rasict party who want's to send away everyone who's not native British people accoring to their site.

I don't pity them at all..

[billybob2002 0]

Quote[/b] ]British National Party is a rasict party who want's to send away everyone who's not native British people accoring to their site.

I don't pity them at all..

thanks! So, it is basically like the KKK but a political party? I remember them now from the Getaway (PS2)..

[Llauma 0]

Quote[/b] ]British National Party is a rasict party who want's to send away everyone who's not native British people accoring to their site.

I don't pity them at all..

thanks! So, it is basically like the KKK but a political party? I remember them now from the Getaway (PS2)..

Pretty much but not as obviously racist as that wouldn't be legal in Europe.

[hellfish6 7]

Do you guys vote for candidates or for parties? Does it matter who is running or what party is running?

[GoOB 0]

Right now it's for individuals (EU parliament). But in regular elections it is for parties. With I think 350 mandates (Sweden), and the mandates are distributed between the parties depending on who gets the most votes. The candidates for EU parliament do belong to parties, but you vote for the individual right now. Not the party.

[denoir 0]

Do you guys vote for candidates or for parties? Does it matter who is running or what party is running?

Technically you vote for candidates. In practice however people vote for parties. Especially since the candidates for the EP are on a national level and are more or less unknown.

In national elections (here in Sweden) you vote for a party and indirectly for individuals. On the ballot is a list of candidates arranged in an order decided by the party in question. That list is a priority queue. If there are 100 people on the list and the party gets 50 mandates, then the top 50 will get the seats. As a voter you can cross out any candidate that you don't like. Generally you don't have a clue about who these people are so you leave the list as it is.