Last polls: up and better than in 2004

According to Predict 09, a European site summing up national polls, the Greens/EFA would get 42 seats out of 735, if elections had been held around 21May. The result is two seats up from the end of April, and slightly better than the score in 2004, when the Greens/EFA won 43 seats out of 785.

Lumley: The Green Party is the obvious choice in poll

Joanna Lumley is urging voters to shun mainstream politicians and instead back the Greens in next week's Euro elections.

Fresh from her triumph in securing immigration rights for Gurkha veterans, the actress has thrown her support behind the party for the 4 June poll. Party insiders believe Lumley's popularity will provide a huge boost to their campaign for the European Parliament.

Lumley, who so far has not shown interest in being a politician herself, said the public should make a “positive vote” for the party and has given her personal backing to Green Party leader and South-East MEP Caroline Lucas.

The actress and campaigner said: “Caroline Lucas is a tireless campaigner in the European Parliament, staunchly defending human rights and strongly promoting greater protection for animals.”

Both women have campaigned against human rights abuses in Burma and Lumley said the Green Party was “the obvious choice for real change”. “I urge you to cast a positive vote for a better future by voting Green in the European elections,” the actress said. Ms Lucas said: “I feel honoured to have her support.”

Paul Waugh - Evening Standard


It is the celebrity endorsement that all the major political parties would have loved to receive. But Joanna Lumley, who shamed ministers into granting immigration rights to Gurkha veterans, has given her backing in next week's European elections to the Greens.

Her decision is a blow for the Liberal Democrats who had been wooing the Absolutely Fabulous star during the Gurkha campaign.

But the actress – named as the female celebrity the public would most like to run the country – said the Greens were most likely to bring about real change. "I urge you to cast a positive vote for a better future by voting Green in the European elections," she added.

Nigel Morris - The Independant

Whether you are voting here in Spain or in the Uk in the European Elections it would be 'Absolutely Fabulous' if you vote for the GREEN PARTY.(In Spain vote LOS VERDES - GRUPO VERDE EUROPEO'

7 political groups in the European Parliament

Members of the European Parliament do not sit and act according to national groupings, but organise themselves into political groups. Political groups draw together political parties from across the EU which share ideological principles and political views. Parliament's rules currently specify that a political group must be composed of at least 20 members from at least one fifth of EU countries. In the outgoing Parliament there are seven political groups, (in order of size):

• EPP-ED: The European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats.
• PES: The Socialist Group in the European Parliament.
• ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
• UEN: Union for Europe of the Nations.
• Greens-EFA: Greens / European Free Alliance.
• GUE/NGL: European United Left/Nordic Green Party.
• IND/DEM: Independence and Democracy group.

Additionally, a number of members, not belonging to any political group, sit as independents or "non-attached"

On the 7th June in Orihuela Costa vote LOS VERDES - GRUPO VERDE EUROPEO'

5 big things the European Parliament did in the last 5 years

The laws the European Parliament passes make a real difference for Europeans, in their daily lives and in their work. Some are felt directly and immediately, some filter through the system via national laws; either way the Parliament makes a difference:

* REACH: Parliament broke legislative deadlock on a fearsomely complex proposal from the European Commission to ensure the passage of new laws requiring the registration of tens of thousands of chemical substances, the removal from circulation of many hazardous and toxic substances and providing research money to find replacements of others. Public health and the environment were the big beneficiaries.

* Passenger rights: Parliament passed into law new rules requiring transport operators to compensate passengers properly for delays and cancellations to which they fall victim. It also ensured that advertised ticket pricing (for example on websites) must clearly show include all charges and taxes passengers must pay.

* Freedom to work across the EU: In one of the hottest political debates of the term - on the so-called "services directive" - members of the European Parliament thrashed out the conclusive deal which allowed Europe to set clear and fair rules allowing providers of services large and small from all EU countries to operate freely across the EU.

* Global warming: The European Parliament addressed what many believe is the big issue of our times passing a package of laws which aims to achieve a 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% improvement in energy efficiency, and a 20% share for renewable energy in the EU energy mix by 2020.

* Cheaper phone calls: The European Parliament passed laws capping the amounts mobile phone companies can charge for calls made and received abroad, bringing an end to many disagreeable post-holiday surprises. Later, it turned its attention to text messages and data, introducing similar provisions.

These are only a taster of Parliament's activities between 2004 and 2009 and it's important that we cast our vote in the elections on the 7th June here in Spain.

Vote 'LOS VERDES - GRUPO VERDE EUROPEO'

Green Party News - 1 Million New Jobs

The UK Green Party wants to create 1 million new jobs renewable energy, home insulation, local agriculture and public transport.

If you're voting in the European Elections by post in the UK vote Green on the 4th of June.

'Los Verdes - Grupo Verde Europeo' - European Elections

The 'Los Verdes - Grupo Verde Europeo' chose to launch their campaign for the European elections at the Biocultura 2009 exhibition of environmentally friendly products held this week in Barcelona.

The 'Grupo Verde Europeo' is the coming together of various regional Green Parties within Spain to form a coalition to present a united list of candidates for the European Parliament elections on the 7th June.



The list is headed up Kristien Lesage, who is spokesman for Los Verdes del Mediterráneo. Originally from Belgium, Kristien is now resident in Mislata in Valencia. She is a member of the Heerlen Group, a network of members of different Green Parties of Europe that work to promote the direct participation in taking European decisions.

Position two on the list is held by Esteban Cabal, a writer. In 1991 he was the first Los Verdes Councillor to be elected in the Madrid Comunidad. In 1999 he headed the list of European candidates and obtained the support of 150,000 votes. Professionally his links are in the field of natural and alternative therapies.

Josep Lluis Freijo, founder of 'Els Verdes de Cataluña' holds the third position and in addition is the coordinator of the electoral campaign. As a green entrepreneur, his work is related to the field of bio-and ecological projects.

The three candidates, accompanied by a group of members and supporters, toured Bioculture 2009, the natural products trade show being held in Barcelona, where they unveiled Green Party proposals to emerge from the ecological crisis.

All of them wore a green work helmet as a symbol of the 20 million jobs which could be created in Europe if the European Union implements the proposal from the European Green Party entitled "Green New Deal", an ambitious public investment in energy alternative and sustainable business sectors. "

The candidates of the 'Los Verdes - Grupo Verde Europeo' pledged to boost , from the EuroChamber, organic farming and the market for natural products, as well as bio-construction and the recognition of natural medicines.

The 'Los Verdes - Grupo Verde Europeo' expects to achieve half a million votes in the European elections of June 7, which will surely result in becoming the third political force in Spanish politics and give them representation in the European Parliament.

Think Again Vote Green

For those Ex-Pats who are going to vote for the European elections in the UK - Think Again Vote Green.

European Green Party - JOBS

Think Big - Vote Green European Green Party 2009

Having mentioned the European Green Party election campaign vidoes here is the first.

UK Green Party - Euro-election campaign videos

Are you a UK citizen registered to vote in the forthcoming European Elections in the UK as an overseas elector rather than here in Spain?

If you are then don't forget that if you agree with the ideals of the European Green Party you can show your support in the European Elections by using your vote in the UK to send more Green MEPs to the European Parliament.

The party will be putting forward a full list of candidates for the elections on the 4th June 2009 throughout the constituencies in the UK.

To compliment the series of election videos produced by the European Green Party, the UK Green Party is producing its own videos for the local and European elections. Caroline Lucas, the UK Green Party leader and MEP for the South East of England, asks us to look at areas of the country where the Greens are doing phenomenally well.

Caroline Lucas, in the first video, says it is important to have "people know, for example, that in Norwich, the Greens are the official opposition on Norwich City Council. Having people know that Brighton Pavilion is on the cusp of having its first Green MP. Places in London, like Lewisham are looking incredibly positive ... There's every evidence that when people believe that the Greens can actually get voted in, they will vote for us."

Future videos will outline support from prominent Green Party supporters in the UK.

The European elections will be on the 4th of June, 2009 in the UK, don't waste your opportunity to vote Green.

You can see a list of the UK Green Party European election candidates, region-by-region, here:

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/elections/euro-elections2009.html

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European Elections - It's your Choice!

An opinion poll on interest in the 4-7 June European elections and on EU policy issues reports that 34% of possible voters surveyed across the EU say they are already certain that they will go and vote in June, while 19% of respondents said they were already certain that they would not vote.

It is feared that two out of three European voters will not cast a ballot in this June’s elections.

On the European Parliament website for the 2009 Elections the following 10 excellent reasons are given why we (those eligible to vote) should vote.

Yes, you. You decide. By voting.

By voting in EP elections, you choose who influences your future and the daily life of close to 500 million fellow Europeans. If you don’t bother, somebody else will - and decide who represents you at the only directly elected Pan-European assembly. Elected MEPs shape the future of Europe for 5 upcoming years. Get the Europe you want! If you don’t vote, don’t complain.

MEPs – Your voice in Europe

Your MEP is your voice in Europe - why would you let it go wasted? Elected every five years, the European Parliament is a major and powerful player in European Union’s decision-making. Its votes shape final EU legislation that influences your everyday life, be it the food on our plates, the cost of your shopping trolley, the quality of the air you breathe, or the safety of your children’s toys.

It’s your right to vote!

As a European citizen, voting in EP elections is your fundamental right and the means to have a say in how the EU works. By voting, you participate in determining who will represent real people like you, your family and friends, your neighbours and workmates in Europe. And as an EU citizen you can vote (or stand for election!) in whatever EU country you live, even if you are not a citizen of that country. And, what’s more, it won’t cost you a penny!

It’s for people and prosperity!

Young or old, student or retired, man or woman, employed or independent, mainstream or alternative, town or countrydweller, Europe concerns all of us, often without us realising! Thanks to Europe, we can easily travel, study and work abroad. The EP works tirelessly for a cleaner environment, safer chemicals, better services and jobs. It is an ardent defender of consumer rights, equal opportunities and human rights both in the EU and abroad.

One poll - 375 million voters

In June 2009, You will have a unique opportunity to go to polls along with 375 million fellow European voters. What for? To elect both the world’s only directly elected transnational and multilingual parliament, and the EU’s only directly elected institution. Elected by the people since 1979, European Parliament represents today almost half a billion citizens.

Heavyweight MEPs

In most cases, MEPs have as much weight as the Member States in EU decision-making. Most laws that concern our daily lives are legislated side by side by MEPs and ministers at EU level. Many, probably most, laws enacted in your country are a transposition of European acts voted by MEPs - your representatives. And it’s not just laws: money for new roads, cleaner beaches, research, education, development aid? MEPs also decide where our EU money goes.

In the pipeline, even weightier MEPs

With the new Lisbon Treaty, once it can be implemented, MEPs’ decision-making powers over EU affairs will once more increase. It will place the Parliament on an equal footing as lawmaker with Member States’ ministers in virtually all areas of EU policy. The Parliament will also elect the President of the European Commission, strengthening its control over the EU executive. Furthermore, you as an EU citizen will have a right to initiate European laws.

Your vote for diversity

Europe elects its new members in June 2009. Coming from 27 countries, these MEPs represent a wide range of national political parties, constituencies and views. In Parliament, most Members then organise themselves in political groups according to their political affinities. So Parliament, like Europe, is about diversity, prizing it and accommodating it - it even speaks 23 languages.

It’s politics! It’s democracy!

Love the EU? Hate it? Want it to turn to the right? Or the left? Is there some issue you care passionately about? Are there changes you want to see? Action that can’t wait? Investments that should be made? Elect MEPs who see it your way and you could make it happen. That’s what democracy is all about. Make the difference.

It’s a small effort for a big outcome

Come on! It’s just a few minutes, maybe you can combine it with a walk in the park or a drink in a café. Not much effort to tell Europe what you want. After that it’s easy to follow what your elected members are doing for you - just visit www.europarl.europa.eu

MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISITERED TO VOTE IN THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS.

You can choose to vote either here in Spain (if you are on the Padron) or in your country of origin. UK citizens who left the UK less than fifteen years ago can register to vote in the UK. But ACT NOW as time is running out to register.

Information is available HERE . for UK citizens.

Edited 17.04.2009.

Mark Mardell the BBC's Europe editor has posted an article entitled Worth voting for an MEP ? on his Euroblog that is worth reading. With reference to the apparent indifference of the voters to the forthcoming elections he comments "So why the indifference? I suspect that, although a lot of our laws are made at European level (more on this next week), people find it difficult to see how their vote matters."