Select if nothing is at stake? 
this article was on 7 June on the blog of the JEF
Erfurt published
will soon re-enter peace to Europe. On 7 June at point 18h, the first projections are presented. Then begin the great cheering and licking wounds, followed by a very rapid transition into everyday life. The citizens are then expected to hear again until the election of the new European Commission this autumn some of Europe and then very long at all.
So it is unfortunately not available in the European public, yet I will leave no stone painted the opportunity to take over the European election campaign in recent days résumé.
Elections to the European Parliament since their first occurrence in 1979 is regularly accompanied by declining voter interest. Paradoxically, although the powers that probably the most democratic European institution has grown more and more. The European Union is determined according to the policy range between 40 and 79% of all German laws and its multiethnic parliament has a say it is almost always decisive. The turnout at the last European elections of 2004 were already 46% below the democratic threshold of pain for democratic elections. In all probability, the results of 2009 will be even worse.
Why is this so? Ask the Germans if they favor their country's membership in the EU, so 53% answer yes. Nevertheless, we shall take to be connected to silence when with the approval of this abstract political ideas for a future Europe. Europe remains for many an idea, a space in which there has been 60 years of peace. The Europe but also a political space in which we may well have different ideas about which it is worth arguing with each other that many people are not aware of.
I think that Europe has to be political. People need to see what concepts are there for a Europe of the future and that is argued about these ideas. Such a political space can also inspire more citizens again, because He will show them what with their lack of interest in the stake.
In the many campaign events I have attended in recent weeks, partly organized, I could often hear the word of the direction the election campaign. Unfortunately, I often struggle with choosing the direction that it should not go to the parties become clear. As nebulous as it had to first for the majority of the population have been, has not attended such event and take their knowledge from television, newspapers and election posters had. Without question, Europe is in the past few weeks have occurred increased. But mainly in the form of a simple explanation of the European institutions and their practices. What is disputed in Europe and has often remained on the sidelines.
But the parties themselves have rarely taken the trouble to bring their programs to the people. Clearly, this European campaign, like all others before him, is of minor importance. This could be seen on the short campaign, the budget of the parties and especially on the human range. I will not deny the candidates for the European parliament post their skills, know it does in any case no one. In other countries regularly replace former ministers and other leaders of the European elections in Germany must be on a campaign poster with Steinmeier and Martin Schulz Schulz when an arrow make over, so that the Last recognizes the social democratic leadership candidate. Much worse, the CDU declined completely even on posters with the likeness of actual election candidates. Here was the same all set to Angela Merkel, who now seems to seek apparently also the way to the European Parliament.
Added to this is the recurring Platitüdendreschen on election posters. Since then is peace, security and freedom, or it is advertised with their own European competence: 'We in Europe' or 'We can make Europe'. Yes, and what you can and above all, what do you want? Happy to be gone with national issues in the European election campaign for votes, or why the left calls for 'Get out of Afghanistan' without a European army would be represented there militarily.
It would have just this year offered so many themes for a more political campaign. Why the global financial crisis was not used as an opportunity across national borders to lobby in the political party families for common European policies? Why is the President of the European Commission behind closed doors in advance and determined not to make an election issue. The European Parliament itself has come with its EU-wide campaign for the election a through ball for the political campaign. What agriculture do we want? How should Europe's borders be protected? What are our future technologies? How are security and freedom in Europe is built? Why these tags were not taken up, which will be used for a real campaign?
Such a campaign organization who have German parties to the further politicization of the European election campaign. You do not have to wonder with poor turnout to get a receipt for it. Why choose to go when nothing seems to be apparently at stake.
of
Martin Behrens
