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| Newsletter 08.06.2004CONTENTS:1. Editorial
Dear Europeans! Only a few days before the start of the elections. On the 10th of June part of Europeans will already have the chance to express their political will on the first European elections in the enlarged Europe. ON the 13th June the polls will close and the first results will be made known. The predominant line of discussion in the past week was about placing the best name on the table. The name of the next President of the Commission, that will take over his/her new job in autumn at the head of a new Commission for the term 2004-09. Once again too much importance is attached to names and too few to the qualities and to the will of the people. Should the "selection" of the next President disregard the results of the EP Elections? Even worse, will the "selection" disregard the political realities after the elections? It is not just a question of names and qualities, but respect. And in democracy there is one important rule - the will of the people is to be respected. If the European Council meeting after the elections, selects puts forward a candidate that is skillful and acceptable that is only one part of the whole picture. The second part is the result of the elections. And the citizens, through the newly elected Parliament, should demand respect for the votes cast! One reason for the low turnout in previos rounds of elections was also the perception that by voting nothing will change. Partly this reasoning is acceptable. Although the Parliament has to elect the President of the Commission, the name has always been well known in advance. The elections did not replace the main candidate. And here the European leaders are wrong. People's political preferences have to be respected and taken into account. Otherwise there will only be a further downturn in the participation. But more important is what we, the citizens, do. Do we want to sit around and let the European democracy go its way, or do we want actively engage ourselves in the fight for a better Europe? Going to the polls on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday means expressing support for the European Parliament - the centre of European democracy. Going to the polls means expressing the wish for a stronger and better Europe! A Europe where citizens have a say and where their wishes are respected. No matter what their political preferences are! Conservatives want less Europe - fine. Greens want a greener Europe - fine. Socialists want a social Europe - fine. As long as this reality is reflected in the Parliament and the Parliament's positions are respected, we are heading towards a better Europe. The show start on the 10th of June. Make sure you are part of it! Enjoy the last days of the campaigns! Best regards, Editor in Chief
The next edition will be send to you on 15th June 2004. Your contributions are welcome at newsletter@giveeuropeaface.net, deadline for the next issue is 14th June 2004. You can read this Bulletin in on-line at: http://www.giveeuropeaface.net Contact details follow at the end of this newsletter.
"It would be a lost opportunity if these continental-scale elections... are squandered by focusing only on rows with each other in our respective member states." Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament
"To me it's not important what you vote, it's that you vote," Martin Joergensen, Danish football player
Interviews tell more about candidates then political speeches or manifestos. With 5 basic questions we aim at providing you short and concise information about some of young candidates competing in the largest european democratic contest...
Jacopo is a young candidate (26) on the list of ECOLO, a belgian green party. ECOLO was a member of the GREENS/EFA group in the European Parliament in the period 1999-2004. 1. You have 30 seconds to explain someone why voting in the EP elections is important. What would you say? All too often we blame the European Union for all sorts of decisions we disagree with. Our politicians, too, criticise “Brussels” when it is convenient. By voting, every citizen can realise that there is no fatality; the policies implemented are those of our politicians whether they be local, national or European. By voting, therefore, everyone can participate in giving EU policy a direction, the direction the citizens want it to take. 2. How do you see the role of the EP vis à vis other EU institutions now and in the future? I firmly believe that the EP has to play the central role in EU decision making. First of all, MEP's are the only European decision makers directly elected to deal with EU issues. Secondly the EP is by far the most transparent institution and the institution easiest to follow and understand for the citizens. European decision making is based on two principles: the communitarian (common) and the intergovernmental principle. The European Union is a unique institution where a number of problems that cannot be dealt with inside national borders are (or should be) approached in common and result in a common vision or strategy that goes beyond the sum of the 15, now 25, national positions. The second principle is the intergovernmental principle, where representatives of governments negotiate in an attempt to safeguard their “national interests”. A concept that is meaningless, to my mind, if one is attempting to solve problems that go well beyond national borders. I think that it is essential to give more and more place to the communitarian method and reduce the scope of the intergovernmental processes. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce unanimity in Council to a bare minimum and to increase the powers of Parliament as it is truly the place where transnational politics can evolve. Extending co-decision is a first step, however, I would be very interested in launching the debate on the role that the EP should have in elaborating and proposing policy. In other words, the political impulse should come from Parliament. 3. Do you think the heads of the states and governments should adopt the draft Constitution as it is now or would you like to change something? I would definitely like something, many things in fact, changed! The 3 rd part of the Constitution should be totally changed. For me the EU should be about promoting a sustainable economy; that is a development that brings wealth by taking into account our health (environment), the necessary solidarity amongst people (social issues) and that leaves our basic resources in a good state so that our children will be able to carry on their development in a healthy society. I do not believe that the economic principles that underline the draft Constitution propose adequate answers to these issues. Also, I believe that in a number of institutional questions, the Constitution lacks in imagination (the role and powers of the various institutions like the EP, the Commission or Council, see above answer). However, I am aware that it is not possible to end up with a text that satisfies everybody at once. The draft Constitution has several merits: First and foremost, the method used to elaborate it open, transparent and encompassing. Secondly, the draft Constitution simplifies and unites the various European Treaties and, thus, makes the EU more accessible for the citizens. And lastly, the draft Constitution has permitted to advance positively, albeit timidly, in a number of areas. Should the draft Constitution not be adopted, we will return to functioning according the Treaty of Nice. The Constitution is far better. Therefore, I call upon our ministers to adopt the draft Constitution and, more importantly, to adopt it without watering it down! However, as all Greens, once the Constitution adopted, I will carry on fighting to give Europe a new direction, a social direction, an environmental direction, that is a sustainable direction. 4. Would you like the idea that in the future the European Parliament elected the president of the Commission taking into account the result of the elections? Yes! I would add that it is not only necessary to take into account the result of the elections but that the EP should elect a the Commission's President amongst its members. This would have the merit of reinforcing democracy by giving the citizens a real say in how the EU is run. Furthermore it would be a concrete stake of the European elections that might entice more people to vote. 5. What kind of face would you give to Europe? I would like to give the EU a citizen's face: The face of all those for whom the EU has brought a sustainable peace after centuries of war. The face of all those who see in the EU a way of bringing prosperity, by which I not only mean material wealth but also decent living conditions in a healthy environment. Finally I would like to give the EU the face of all those who see the European project as a way to extend solidarity to all those who need it. I want to give the EU a green face! ----- If you want to find more information about Jacopo or ECOLO, please visit: http://www.ecolo.be/elections.2004.php -----
In the last issue before the EP Elections we offer our readers the latest press releases coming from the European Political Parties and the lists of their member parties. In addition, where available, we publish recent speeches on the EP Elections. ----- 4.1 Party of European Socialists (PES) PRESS RELEASE WOMEN HOLD KEY TO OUTCOME OF EURO POLL Thursday, 3 June 2004 Women could swing the outcome of next week's elections to the European Parliament, it was revealed today, as social democrats set out a 25-nation programme designed to win their votes. Read the full press release on-line at: http://www.eurosocialists.org/scripts/NewsEvents/pressrelease_detail.asp?lang=EN&ID=251 or download at: http://www.eurosocialists.org/upload/documents/P251ENWomen%20and%20Euro%20poll.pdf ----- To learn which of the parties competing for the EP Elections in your country is member of the PES, please visit: http://www.eurosocialists.org/scripts/network/member.asp?lang=EN ----- QUIZ The Party of European Socialists also offers a "European Knowledge Test", where you can test your knowledge on the European Union, European Parliament, The Socialist Group or the Euro. Visit: http://www.socialistgroup.org/gpes/servlet/Main/Html~2?_wcs=true&r=games&lg=en ----- 4.2 European Greens PRESS RELEASE Green campaign celebrates World Environment Day 06/05/2004 Statement by the Green DreamTeam on World Environment Day: We welcome the World Environment Day as an opportunity to take stock of the state of the environment, to look at what we are doing as individuals, societies, states and global actors, and to observe how our actions affect the environment. Our everyday choices make up the trends that we observe at the global level. We must stop the loss of global biodiversity. We Europeans have already destroyed much of our own environment. Many of the animal and plant species we still host, are threatened with extinction. To be credible, politicians must be able to translate the decisions made to halt biodiversity loss into effective policies and measures. We must stop dangerous global warming. It is already too late to avoid all adverse effects of climate change, but our most important task in the next decades is to contain global warming to a bearable level... Read the entire press release on-line: http://www.eurogreens.org/cms/default/dok/9/9375.green_campaign_celebrates_world_environm.htm ----- You can also download the European Greens' posters used during their euro-wide Election campaign 2004. Visit: http://www.hirschen.de/kunden/press/ ----- Click on the following link to discover which party in your country is member of the European Greens: http://www.eurogreens.org/cms/default/rubrik/2/2134.member_parties.htm ----- 4.3 European Liberal Democrats (ELDR) Lex Corijn, Secretary-general of the European Liberal Democrats (ELDR Party) "The flying bird. No, it's not the name of the latest cheap fares airline. It is the symbol for what we are. European liberal family aim for a bird, flying towards freedom. I will reflect in this column on the Open to the world section of the electoral manifesto by presenting you a bird's view of the world today. Our manifesto is called, Freeing Europe 's Potential with subtitle A new enlarged Europe, open to its citizens and open to the world. ELDR's approach has always been that Europe should promote international free trade, sustainable development, and a healthy environment, to ensure a more peaceful and stable world, where freedom and democracy is the rule, not the exception. In some parts of the world that situation is not yet there and on a number of issues Europe is not yet open to the world either... If you want to read Mr Corijns comment in full lenght, please download the last issue of "Insight": http://www.eldr.org/images/upload2/eld0404.pdf -----If you want to learn which party in your country is a member of the ELDR, please click on the following link: http://www.eldr.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=454 ----- 4.4 European People's party WILFRIED MARTENS: 'The elections - a litmus test for European democracy?' CEPS / 13th meeting of EPIN Brussels, Friday, 28 May, 2004 The Robert Schuman Foundation, the Paris think-tank in Paris associated with the EPP political family, is distributing half a million copies of a pamphlet with an ostrich on the front. It says: 'Faites l'Europe, pas l'autruche', which is rendered in fluent international English as: "Lets make Europe and not bury our heads in the sand", along with the slogan in capital letters. "VOTE IN THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS". Will this work? I do not know. Perhaps, a little. And does it matter if people vote? Yes, it really does.... Read full speech on-line at: http://www.epin.org/pdf/MartensSpeech280504.pdf ----- 2004 European elections - EPP info brochure The European People's party has released an info brochure on the European Elections that explains the role of the EPP in the Parliament and lists all the member parties. You can download the Brochure at: http://www.eppe.org/Docdownload.asp?ID=4C9FA54347030A0678 Available in 11 languages. ----- Click on the followin link to learn which party in your country is member of the European People's Party: http://www.eppe.org/default.asp?COM=106&CAT0=105&CAT1=106&CAT2=0 ----- QUIZ The EPP-ED website offers another quiz on the EU. Test your knowledge at: http://www.epp-ed.org/home/en/default.asp ----- 5.1 JEF-news ----- GIVE EUROPE A FACE - Press pack Information about the Give Europe A Face Project Why? Give Europe a Face has as objectives fostering the idea of European Citizenship – that there is more that young people across the continent have in common than separates them, informing young people about how important it is for them to vote in the upcoming European Parliament Elections during June 2004, as the EU has such a direct impact on their lives. It also explains why a European Constitution is a positive step towards the creation of a democratic and effective European Union that will shape the lives of young people as they grow up. Your Press Contacts: Marianne Bonnard and Joan Marc Simon - JEF Europe More information: www.giveeuropeaface.net , www.jef-europe.net
The elements of the project are: 1. Activities Where? The pan-European campaign activities take place in some 30 countries across Europe, held by the local JEF sections. Up to 300 events were successfully organized so far. Activists came up with many different ideas depending on their local concerns and organize various actions in a decentralized manner. Find more information at http://www.giveeuropeaface.net/index.php?id=630 What? Local activities
Activities that aim to show the fall of the borders in Europe, especially now with the May 2004 enlargement. The signed accession treaties finally close the gap between East and West and JEF members celebrate this in their border actions!
JEF International Seminar “European Elections: The First Time in the Enlarged European Union” in Boskovice, Czech Republic, 15. - 22. May 2004 Experts from the Czech Republic discussed some key structural problems of the European integration today, especially about the upcoming EP elections, which will take place the first time in the Enlarged European Union. Also part of the seminar was a large international conference including a round table discussion of top election candidates to the EP elections from the Czech Republic. The participants learned by attending working groups, discussing with experts in the field of European integration and by joining the UEF conference in Prague. Click to find out more about the results of this seminar: http://www.jef-europe.net/events/archives/cat_boskovice_may_2004.html 2. Website - www.giveeuropeaface.net The project “Give Europe a Face” has its own regularly updated website. It has information about the organizers of the campaign, volunteers and partners. The activities sector describes the local debates, international events going on country-by-country and also a division for feedback from the viewers as well as final activity reports. On the website you can give Europe a face, a Constitution, a President. You can learn about the EU through the different sections in Euro News and the Euro-fun section as well. Voting for your Face For Europe A section on the website, in which 4 prominent figures of Europe from the fields of sports, arts, music, business and politics, with a short description, are proposed for voting. After each week, one winner is chosen and we have four of them in the finals. Now, with the European Parliament elections in less than two weeks away, we reach the final, where Zinedine Zidane takes on three politicians. The results will be available on June 10, 2004. Faces of Europe Is a part of the website in which every day there is posted the photo of a young European from different country together with his/her own quote about Europe, visions about the future of the Continent, the EU and wishes for the people of Europe and suggestions to the different Institutions of the EU. The Newsletter "Give Europe your Vote!" The electronic newsletter "Give Europe your Vote!" covering the European Elections is currently being sent out every week to approximately 6500 addresses. It contains unfiltered information on various EP campaigns and a vast collection of information sources on the EP Elections. After the elections the Newsletter will change face... Latest News A section with the up-to-date news on European elections and on the future of Europe. There are news from all around Europe about the events going on concerning the European Parliament pre-election campaigns, elections in different countries in June 2004, the Constitution, the activities of other youth organizations. The news are in their original language of publishing with a link to their initial location. The team also prepares a newsletter sent weekly to more than 7000 subscribers. Through the newsletter you can follow the EP campaigns, read interviews with young candidates running for the elections, hear the echoes from the civil society concerning the EP elections and enjoy the fun section. 3. Postcards - The artistic touch A series of postcards with a sketch of a human face, on which people can draw their own face of Europe and a message to the attention of the European politicians. These postcards are distributed and collected throughout Europe at all the events organized in the framework of this campaign (local debates, visits to school, street actions, etc). Out of all postcards gathered, some will be picked-up, whose “designers” will be invited to take part into an international youth event to take place in early 2005. It will give people the chance to express their idea of Europe through visual arts and short messages. The postcards can be ordered and also sent from the website: http://www.giveeuropeaface.net/index.php?id=701 ----- ACTIVITIES Federalist manifestation in Strasbourg, 19-20 July 20th July is the opening of the new session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, although MEPs will be arriving 19th July. In previous years, federalists have organised a small manifestation at the opening of the Parliament, to encourage the new MEPs to advance the cause of European federalism. With the influx of new MEPs thanks to enlargment, a visible presence in Strasbourg will be more vital than ever. The aim is to meet the MEPs on their first day of work and communicate them the federalist vision of the Future of Europe and especially the role of the European Parliament. In case you would like to know more about the event please contact Jon Worth, President of JEF-Europe at president@jef-europe.net ----- EVENTS - Give Europe a Face Reception Give Europe A Face Reception at JEF Europe Brussels office on 10th of June! JEF (Young European Federalists) is pleased to invite you to our reception on Thursday 10th June, 2004 from 17.00 at JEF Europe office at the occasion of: - the presentation of our project Give Europe a Face - find out the Face of Europe the young people of our continent voted for - celebrating the first day of European Parliamentary Elections Please confirm attendance either by fax at +32 2 626 95 01 or by e-mail to: ----- 5.2 Other youth organizations ----- YOUTH FORUM Report of the "Youth and the EU" surveyGoals of the survey: • The aim of the survey was to target young EU citizens and get an idea of their general perception of the European Union. For this, the survey tried to quantify their voting intention, determine how much they knew about the EP elections and the European Parliament in general and see to what extent they were aware of the European Union and its institutions. • Target public: the survey was targeted at young EU citizens ages 18 to 30. General conclusions: • A large number of those young people surveyed intend to vote in the European Parliament elections, exceeding the numbers reported in other European surveys of the general public. • Those who do not plan to vote say they lack information on the European Parliament elections. To read the whole report on the results of the survey, please visit: http://www.youthdecide.com/media.php#conlu ----- 6. Election news from EU Institutions and other sources 6.1 EUROPARL Website: Information on individual candidates The Parliament's official Website for the European Elections features lists with all the candidates running for a place in the European Parliament. Just click on your country: http://www.elections2004.eu.int/ep-election/sites/en/yourvoice/ ----- 6.2 BBC NEWS - Elections 2004 In Depth GUIDE TO THE PARLIAMENT BBC News Online takes a look at the inner workings of Europe 's elected chamber. Follow the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/europe/2004/elections_2004/default.stm ----- 6.2 EUROPEAN POLICY INSTITUTE NETWORK (EPIN) PREVIEW OF THE 2004 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS EPIN WORKING PAPER NO. 11/MAY 2004 Executive Summary
The findings presented in this paper are based on the results of a survey conducted among national experts associated with the European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN). As such they are inherently subjective, but well-informed. While the actual outcomes of the election are bound to prove our findings wrong in one or another respect, they do indicate some interesting trends that in the end do not hinge on the predictions being exactly right for one country or the other. Rather, it is the recognition of a slow, faltering but at times undeniable emergence of a European political dynamic that is the main object of this study. Please read the full Working Paper on-line at: http://www.epin.org/pdf/Election_Kurpas_Incerti_Crum.pdf ----- 6.3 The Centre - www.thecentre.eu.com The so called "Brussels' First Think-Do Tank" The Centre has released the results of the survey made on-line during the last few weeks. PERCEPTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Introduction
• To provide useful feedback from voters on their perception of the • To contribute in a small way to creating a pan-European political • To gauge voting intentions across, potentially, 25 Member States Participants were asked to indicate which of the seven political groups currently Full report is available here. ----- 6.4 Generation Europe PRESS RELEASE Generation Europe launches second pan-European survey of youth opinion on European politics Brussels, 27 th May 2004 – Generation Europe, Europe's leading online community and discussion platform for 19-29 year olds, this week launches the second in a series of online surveys designed to assess young peoples' attitudes to the coming European Parliament elections and European politics in general. Building on the success of the first pan-European youth opinion survey conducted online in 2003, this survey should make a further significant contribution to understanding what would engage young people in European elections and European politics. The results will be presented to Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, the European Parliament's Communications Directorate and a random sample of MEPs who will be invited to comment on the key findings. Responses from the European Parliament will be published online at www.generation-europe.eu.com . “Apathy is high in certain countries for European elections in general, but young people feel most detached of all, and we all know that this has got to change. Our work demonstrates that many young people do want to have a voice but that they often feel it isn't really heard. We hope that the Parliament will seriously consider our findings and that they might help inform renewed efforts to appeal to young voters and citizens on the part of the European institutions and the main political groups active at European level,” said Catie Thorburn , President of Generation Europe. The survey will close on 11 th June, the results will be published the week of 14 th June. To take part, please navigate to: www.generation-europe.eu.com/default.asp?sid=124&cid=820 ----- 6.5 Pat Cox: "Let's have a genuine Euro debate" 2004 is a uniquely European year. A year of European redefinition and renewal. A year when, at last, the union has grown from 15 to 25. A year when we will have the final stages of the debate on a new constitutional treaty to animate Europe. A year when we will have elections to the European Parliament from the Atlantic coast of my Munster constituency in Ireland to the eastern borders of the Baltic states - something on a truly continental scale that Europe has never experienced before. It will be a unique moment, unparalleled in terms of scale and diversity, and the first common opportunity to give members of the European Parliament a mandate for a five-year mission to deal with this new Europe - "la grande Europe" as they say. Add to that the political debates. The stability and growth pact: good or bad, dead or alive? People want to know how it impacts on their lives... To read the full statement, please visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3750207.stm ----- This section will feature contributions from various Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and lobby groups. ----- 7.1 Union of European Federalists (UEF) PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 8 June 2004 EUROPEAN FEDERALISTS LAUNCH APPEAL TO THE EUROPEAN CITIZENS: GO VOTE AND TAKE PART IN THE SHAPING OF THE FUTURE OF EUROPE The European elections, which will be held from 10-13th June are historic. For the first time, people from the 10 new member states who have been separated from the free part of Europe for half a century will be able to participate in these elections. Across the 25 member states around 342 million people are called to go to the polls in order to elect a new European Parliament. "The European elections are a unique chance for the Europeans to take part in the shaping of the future of Europe. We urge all citizens to seize their democratic right and go vote", says Jo Leinen, President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF). "Nowadays, more than 70 percent of national legislation stems from the European level. The powers of the Parliament, the only directly elected body in the European Union, have been substantially strengthened during the past years. Hence, every single vote can make a difference", Mr. Leinen underlined. According to UEF there is the danger that the European elections are once again misused as a referendum on the performance of the member state governments. That neglects the importance of the issues to be decided by the European Parliament. The coming months and years are decisive for the creation of a democratic and efficient European Union. Only by giving the European Parliament a strong mandate, it can fulfil its role as the voice of the citizens and accordingly influence the direction Europe takes. "Against this background, we appeal to the European citizens to reinforce democracy in the European Union by going to the polls and thereby strengthen the place of the European Union in the world", the President of UEF concluded. Three members of the Bureau of UEF run for the new European Parliament: Jo Leinen, President of UEF and Member of the outgoing European Parliament (Germany), Alojz Peterle, Vice-President of UEF and former representative of the accession countries in the Praesidium of the European Convention (Slovenia), as well as Thomas Mann, Member of the outgoing European Parliament (Germany). Contact : Bruno Boissière, +32-2.495 44 14 13 If you want more about the UEF, please visit: ----- 7.2 The European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC) PRESS RELEASE The European Parliament is important and not boring Today BEUC launches a Consumer Manifesto for the European Parliament1. The Manifesto includes a questionnaire for candidate MEPs to assess how consumer friendly they are. Those with medium scores are offered a free set of all BEUC position papers. Those with bad scores are offered something worse- an intensive programme of meetings with consumer experts. Most of the rules affecting the daily experiences of consumers in Europe are decided by the European Parliament (with the member states in Council). The Parliament is the only European institution that is directly elected by the people. European citizens will not have better consumer rights, or a better environment, without the support of the European Parliament... To read the entire press release visit: http://212.3.246.142/Common/GetFile.asp?ID=14137&mfd=off&LogonName=GuestEN ----- BEUC has also published a Manifesto for the European Parliament Elections. Read it on-line: http://212.3.246.142/Common/GetFile.asp?ID=14137&mfd=off&LogonName=GuestEN ----- 7.3 European Disability Forum (EDF) Key elements of the Manifesto on the 2004 European Parliament Elections
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