EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS: IRELAND

In: Electoral studies: an international journal, Band 3, Heft 3, S. 290-293

Abstract

THE MAJOR FEATURES OF THE EUROPEAN ELECTION IN IRELAND WERE THE 16 PER CENT DROP IN TURNOUT; THE GAINS IN SEATS BY BOTH FIANNA FAIL AND FINE GAEL, DESPITE DECLINING SHARES OF THE VOTE; AND THE DISASTER FOR LABOUR, WITH ALL ITS SEATS LOST AND A FURTHER DECLINE IN ITS ELECTORAL STRENGTH. THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTY ORGANIZATION AND VOTE MANAGEMENT WERE FURTHER UNDERLINED. BOTH FIANNA FAIL AND FINE GAEL MADE GOOD USE OF THEIR ESTABLISHED CANDIDATES AND DIVIDED THEIR VOTING STRENGTHS EFFECTIVELY. TO RETAIN THEIR HOLD ON THE ELECTORATE ALL MEPS WILL HAVE TO KEEP THEIR NAMES BEFORE THE ELECTORATE BY FURTHERING LOCAL CAUSES EVEN AT THE COST OF INVOLVEMENT AT STRASBOURG. THE 15 IRISH MEMBERS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE EUROPEAN-TDS, THAN MEPS.