EU elections raise the Turkish issue

PARIS – From Sweden to Slovakia, Europeans in 19 countries chose from candidates for the EU parliament yesterday, wrapping up the bloc’s first election since its historic expansion eastward in May.

Six other countries, including Britain, had already cast ballots in the four-day election, which voters often use as a report card for their national governments. Issues in the campaign ranged from Europe’s role in Iraq to the European Union’s difficult attempts to negotiate a constitution.Some parties fear the charter would threaten national sovereignty.Another question for Europe’s future is the bid by predominantly Muslim Turkey to join the 25-member group.Some 14 670 candidates vied for 732 five-year seats.The election was a first for the 10 new EU countries, which include former communist countries like Poland and Hungary.In new and old member nations alike, politicians struggled to overcome voter apathy about the parliament, whose role is often misunderstood.Some politicians focused on a single issue in campaigning.Hans Kronberger, a candidate for Austria’s Freedom Party, has been featured on campaign posters saying: “Turkey in the EU? Not with me!” In Vienna, which has a sizable Turkish population, Adolf Hitler-style mustaches were drawn on several of the posters.- Nampa-APIssues in the campaign ranged from Europe’s role in Iraq to the European Union’s difficult attempts to negotiate a constitution.Some parties fear the charter would threaten national sovereignty.Another question for Europe’s future is the bid by predominantly Muslim Turkey to join the 25-member group.Some 14 670 candidates vied for 732 five-year seats.The election was a first for the 10 new EU countries, which include former communist countries like Poland and Hungary.In new and old member nations alike, politicians struggled to overcome voter apathy about the parliament, whose role is often misunderstood.Some politicians focused on a single issue in campaigning.Hans Kronberger, a candidate for Austria’s Freedom Party, has been featured on campaign posters saying: “Turkey in the EU? Not with me!” In Vienna, which has a sizable Turkish population, Adolf Hitler-style mustaches were drawn on several of the posters.- Nampa-AP