Euroscepticism
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Euroscepticism has become a general term for opposition to the European Union or the process of further European integration. The antonym is europhilia.
Euroscepticism is not a single ideology, and eurosceptics differ widely on both their vision of Europe and on the manner in which it is perceived to fail: some eurosceptics seek a different form of European Union whilst some seek merely to prevent further expansion and yet others seek the complete dissolution of the EU.[citation needed]
A Eurobarometer survey showed that the most eurosceptic countries were Sweden, Austria, Finland, the United Kingdom and Denmark.[1] Although recent elections showed a significant reduction in support for eurosceptic parties in some of those countries.
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[edit] History in the European Parliament
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[edit] 1999-2004
A study analyzed voting records of the Fifth European Parliament and ranked groups, concluding:[2] "Towards the top of the figure are the more pro-European parties (PES, EPP-ED, and ALDE), whereas towards the bottom of the figure are the more anti-European parties (EUL/NGL, G/EFA, UEN and EDD)".
[edit] 2004-2009
In 2004, 37 MEPs from the UK, Poland, Denmark and Sweden founded a new European Parliament group called “Independence and Democracy” from the old Europe of Democracies and Diversities (EDD) group.
The main goals of the ID group were to reject the proposed Treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. Some delegations within the group, notably the United Kingdom Independence Party, also advocate the complete withdrawal of their country from the EU whilst others only wish to limit further European integration.
[edit] 2009 elections
The elections in 2009 saw a significant drop in support for Eurosceptic parties, with all MEP's from the Poland, Denmark and Sweden losing their seats. Although new members joined the ID group from Greece and the Netherlands, it remains unclear as to whether the ID group will reform in the new parliament.
[edit] In Denmark
The Unity Party and SF (Greens) were against accession to the European Union, but only the Unity Party has withdrawal from the EU as a policy. The new right wing Danish People's Party also advocate withdrawal.
[edit] In Sweden
The Left Party of Sweden was against accession to the European Union and still want Sweden to leave the European Union.[3]
[edit] In the United Kingdom
In Britain, the Labour Party base is more eurosceptic than the party elite, which is something the Conservative leadership has sought to exploit.[4]
Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom (UK) is a very controversial issue and has been a significant element in British politics since the inception of the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor to the European Union (EU). Eurosceptic views have not diminished following UK membership of the Union.[citation needed] However, their nature and bases have tended to change over the years.[vague][citation needed]
The UK Independence Party, more commonly known as UKIP, is the most prominent of all UK Eurosceptic Parties. They recieved 16.5% of the vote in the 2009 European Elections, putting them in 2nd place beating the Governing Labour Party.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The European Union handbook By Jackie Gower, Ian Thomson page 76
- ^ After Enlargement: "Voting Behaviour in the Sixth European Parliament" by Simon Hix and Abdul Noury
- ^ Opposing Europe? By Aleks Szczerbiak, Paul A. Taggart page 183
- ^ The European Union handbook By Jackie Gower, Ian Thomson page 80
