If you are not well versed enough in European politics to quite understand what the European Parliament does, you may be no different than many Europeans. The Parliament does not originate laws – it only revises or blocks laws passed by an unelected body, the European Commission. But that may be enough for supporters of far-right and Eurosceptic parties who garnered the biggest percentage of votes on May 25 in Parliamentary elections held throughout Europe. Followers of those parties blame the European Commission for economic and political woes in their own countries. Unemployment, immigration, and threats of a new housing bubble dominate the headlines.
Election results were a surprise for some European leaders, judging by reactions. French President Francois Hollande called it “a shock; an earthquake,” according to the BBC. The UK’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, said the election’s message was “received and understood,” saying he recognized his citizens have been disillusioned with the European Union. National elections held in individual European countries on the same day mirrored similar results, with the conservative right National Front party in France and the Eurosceptic party in the United Kingdom both in first place. Leader of the National Front party in France, Marine Le Pen, believes France should pull out of the EU and that other European nations will follow.
It is a strong signal that voters are much more concerned these days with affairs at home. Despite some modest signs of economic growth, unemployment continues to rise. France, in particular, has had unprecedented unemployment, with 440,000 added to the jobless rolls since Francois Hollande came to power two years ago.
According to Celine, an administrative assistant who rides the Metro to an office near Place de la Concorde, “I’m happy to have a job for now.” She knows several people who are out of work. “My co-worker lives in the same apartment building as me. Her husband looks so sad,” Celine said. “I can’t remember how long ago it was that he had his job.” Celine’s job is not at risk, she said, but she is worried about the economy in general. “If so many people don’t have a job, it means life will be difficult for everyone.”
While unemployment is the biggest news, other issues such as immigration and rising housing costs are concerns in France and other parts of Europe. Riot police – citing disease and lack of hygiene as reasons for their actions – descended on an illegal encampment in Calais, France on May 28 to remove hundreds of migrants from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Sudan. A similar encampment was also destroyed by police in 2009. Calais is a stopping place for migrants hoping to gain entry into the UK.
Sabine, a German citizen who lives in London, says she is less worried about immigration, however, than about the economy and what it might mean for the new business she just started. She organizes international yoga trips for travelers “looking for a new lifestyle.” Sabine and her boyfriend bought their home just six months before their next-door neighbor and paid 50,000 pounds more. “I don’t know if that means we made a bad deal, or if housing prices are really going down,” she said. Sabine is not sure because she stopped watching news reports a long time ago. “It made me afraid and I started to think I shouldn’t start a business,” she said. “I thought I should just start my business; otherwise, worrying about the bad news would make me change my mind.” Sabine did not vote in the recent election. “I usually ask my co-worker to explain things to me,” she said, “but I haven’t been at work lately, so I haven’t asked him. I’m not even sure if I’m supposed to vote here or back in Germany.” FBN
By Constance DeVereaux