The checklist

摘要

Some 100 parties winning seats in the European Parliament creates a blur, not a result. These are pointers to look for.rn1. Turnout. It has fallen steadily. In 2004 it was below 46%. Polls suggest a majority of Europeans will once again stay away. Turnout in central and eastern Europe was much lower than in the west. The figures are distorted if other elections take place at the same time or voting is compulsory (as in Belgium and Luxembourg). Yet everywhere turnout is lower in European than national elections.rn2. Protest voting. Because little seems to be at stake, people often show dissatisfaction by voting against governments. The economic crisis may increase this trend. Britons have a single-party government to vote against. In Germany and Austria a grand coalition of the two big parties may drive up votes for small or fringe parties. In France the National Front has competition from half a dozen other small parties. In the Netherlands Geert Wilders's Freedom party may do well.