Election: European Parliament
Elections to the European Parliament will be held in the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) between 4 and 7 June 2009. 736 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be elected by proportional representation to represent 497,198,700 people.
To read more about the EU election news , 10 reasons to vote and other information, click here.
Elections related campaigns:
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) is the largest alliance of women’s non-governmental organisation in the European Union and works for the advancement of equality between women and men as well as the mainstreaming and monitoring of a feminist gender equality perspective in all areas of European Union policy and for the achievement of parity democracy at all levels.
EWL launched the "50/50 Campaign for Democracy" for concrete action to increase women’s presence in politics and in the 2009 European Parliament elections. To read more click here.
We would like to encourage all our users to post their comments/thoughts regarding these upcoming elections below.
Parallel NGO Electoral Campaign for Women Candidates in Slovenia
Women’s Lobby in Slovenia took active part in the EWL 50-50 Campaign for the election of the European parliament in 2009. To read the complete report of the outcomes of their activies, please click here.
Women and European elections
"European Elections 2009: It's Your Choice"
Citizens demand a European Parliament with equal participation of women and men in all the procedures and all the positions
Rodi Kratsa, 1st Vice-President of the European Parliament
The European elections 4-7 June in 27 European Union Member States is near and the election campaigns all over Europe are up and going. Thus, gender equality in the national elections lists and in the European Parliament (EP) itself arises prominently during this period.
This year, we celebrated 30 years since the first directly elected European Parliament with the participation of 9 countries and 410 elected members of the EP (MEPs), where only 17% of the MEPs were women. From those 1979 elections, we have now accomplished to directly elect 785 members, 31% of whom are now women. Thus the representation of women has almost doubled during these years and the progress is still rapidly ongoing, although there is still margin for improvement. This year’s elections lists seem to be more gender-balanced since, according to a Gender Audit Report published by the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) in light of the European elections 2009, in 17 countries there are more women on the lists than the current % of women MEPs. However, we still need to constantly enforce the placement of women as heads of lists or at least in “winnable” or “safe seats”, since, as the report points out, there are only approximately 7 countries where this occurs.
In this respect it is worth reiterating herein the conclusions of the special Eurobarometer Flash survey on “women and european elections”. This survey was presented to the media, the MEPs and to social actors from different European countries, by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Mrs. Margot Wallström, and myself on the occasion of the International Women’s Day - 8 March 2009 and the upcoming european elections.
This is the first time that such a pan-european research - with 35,000 women and 5,000 men surveyed from all 27 member-states - has been realised with a focus on the electoral attitude and opinion of women for Europe, on their priorities for european politics and their role therein. Particularly, according to the research: a) the differences in the responses are proven to be much larger among women that belong to different economic and social groups (ie. in terms of age, education) rather than between women and men, b) a high percentage of women prefers to respond “I do not know”, while men have the tension to respond to everything and c) women are much more selective than men in relation to the answers they give.
The results demonstrate important differences among member-states but they bring out the common prevailing view that politics is indeed male-dominated. The large majority of women (83%) and men (76%) believes that women will offer a different perspective and an added value in politics. One woman in two would like to see a European Parliament composed by 50% men and 50% women members while only a limited minority (10%) considers mandatory quotas valuable. As for the choice of candidates, the most influential factor for women voters is the experience in european issues and the candidate’s personality rather than his/hers political orientation.
According to the survey, the basic issues that women would like to see included in the european elections’ campaign are the following, in order of preference: a) unemployment, b) economic development and c) inflation – market power, ie. issues relevant to their daily life. In relation to the EP policy for family life, women consider as a priority: a) recognising the years devoted to the raising of their children as part of their pension rights, b) ensuring the provision of services and childcare facilities, c) ensuring common custody of children in case of divorce and d) institutionalising parental leave for the father.
These conclusions are valuable for the political parties and the politicians, men and women, because they assist us in communicating with the citizens, in preparing the content of our campaign and in presenting relevant viable solutions. They are valuable for the european institutional organs as well in their efforts to contribute to the construction of a true Europe of citizens. They are valuable for citizens, men and women, partners in the family, social and political affairs. They are valuable for the information and sensitisation of the media. Despite some common results, there are major differences among member-states. For this reason, the results of the research need to be widely disseminated and discussed at international, european and national level. In this respect and in view of the current european elections, the role of “iKNOW politics” network with its international, easily accessible, interactive and lively character, could be a most vital tool for the exchange of best practices in relation to the need to promote women’s participation in politics as well as the need to promote the needs of women voters, as a priority.
Click here to read Mrs. Rodi Kratsa's interview with iKNOW Politics.
Press Release - EWL 50/50 Campaign for Democracy
Press Release - EWL 50/50 Campaign for Democracy
European Elections 2009: Most Political Parties Lagging Behind in the Road towards Gender Equality!
Most political parties do not consider equality between women and men as a key priority, says the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) in a Gender Audit Report published in light of the European elections 2009. This comes despite the strong competence of the European Union in the area. The EWL Gender Audit analyzes the available electoral manifestos of four of the main European political parties: the European People’s Party (EPP), the Party of European Socialists (PES), the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) and the European Greens.
The results of the review of the content of European electoral manifestos give the EPP a RED light; the ELDR a RED light; the GREENS a YELLOW light and the PES a GREEN light.
These results were based on the importance the manifestos give to four issues that the EWL sees as relevant for the realisation of equality between women and men, such as reconciliation of private and working life or violence against women. “It is very disappointing that political parties don’t prioritize over issues of equality between women and men, which should occupy a central place in our democracies. We strongly encourage women to be involved in European politics and to vote in the June elections, in order for the European Union to better fulfil their expectations and to fully contribute to equality in everyday life”, stated Brigitte Triems, President of the EWL.
The Gender Audit also looks at the presence of women on national electoral lists, including as heads of lists. The review shows that in 17 countries, there are more women on the lists than the current % of women MEPs. However, looking more accurately at where women are placed as heads of lists, there are only seven countries where this occurs. The current representation of women in the European Parliament for the four political groups reviewed gives a good indication of the commitment of these groups to the promotion of women in decision-making. For the 2004-2009 legislative period, the Greens had the highest percentage of women with a very near parity 47.6%, followed by the Socialist Group (41.2%) the Liberals (40.4%) and finally the Group of the EPP with only 24.03%.
We strongly invite you to read the whole gender audit report for more detailed information about specific countries and political parties on 5050democracy.
The EWL is the largest coalition of women’s organisation in the European Union with 2500 member organisations in 30 countries.
To read more click here.
Parallel NGO Electoral Campaign for Women Candidates in Slovenia
Women’s Lobby in Slovenia took active part in the EWL 50-50 Campaign for the election of the European parliament in 2009. To read the complete report of the outcomes of their activies, please click here.
Women and European elections
"European Elections 2009: It's Your Choice"
Citizens demand a European Parliament with equal participation of women and men in all the procedures and all the positions
Rodi Kratsa, 1st Vice-President of the European Parliament
The European elections 4-7 June in 27 European Union Member States is near and the election campaigns all over Europe are up and going. Thus, gender equality in the national elections lists and in the European Parliament (EP) itself arises prominently during this period.
This year, we celebrated 30 years since the first directly elected European Parliament with the participation of 9 countries and 410 elected members of the EP (MEPs), where only 17% of the MEPs were women. From those 1979 elections, we have now accomplished to directly elect 785 members, 31% of whom are now women. Thus the representation of women has almost doubled during these years and the progress is still rapidly ongoing, although there is still margin for improvement. This year’s elections lists seem to be more gender-balanced since, according to a Gender Audit Report published by the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) in light of the European elections 2009, in 17 countries there are more women on the lists than the current % of women MEPs. However, we still need to constantly enforce the placement of women as heads of lists or at least in “winnable” or “safe seats”, since, as the report points out, there are only approximately 7 countries where this occurs.
In this respect it is worth reiterating herein the conclusions of the special Eurobarometer Flash survey on “women and european elections”. This survey was presented to the media, the MEPs and to social actors from different European countries, by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Mrs. Margot Wallström, and myself on the occasion of the International Women’s Day - 8 March 2009 and the upcoming european elections.
This is the first time that such a pan-european research - with 35,000 women and 5,000 men surveyed from all 27 member-states - has been realised with a focus on the electoral attitude and opinion of women for Europe, on their priorities for european politics and their role therein. Particularly, according to the research: a) the differences in the responses are proven to be much larger among women that belong to different economic and social groups (ie. in terms of age, education) rather than between women and men, b) a high percentage of women prefers to respond “I do not know”, while men have the tension to respond to everything and c) women are much more selective than men in relation to the answers they give.
The results demonstrate important differences among member-states but they bring out the common prevailing view that politics is indeed male-dominated. The large majority of women (83%) and men (76%) believes that women will offer a different perspective and an added value in politics. One woman in two would like to see a European Parliament composed by 50% men and 50% women members while only a limited minority (10%) considers mandatory quotas valuable. As for the choice of candidates, the most influential factor for women voters is the experience in european issues and the candidate’s personality rather than his/hers political orientation.
According to the survey, the basic issues that women would like to see included in the european elections’ campaign are the following, in order of preference: a) unemployment, b) economic development and c) inflation – market power, ie. issues relevant to their daily life. In relation to the EP policy for family life, women consider as a priority: a) recognising the years devoted to the raising of their children as part of their pension rights, b) ensuring the provision of services and childcare facilities, c) ensuring common custody of children in case of divorce and d) institutionalising parental leave for the father.
These conclusions are valuable for the political parties and the politicians, men and women, because they assist us in communicating with the citizens, in preparing the content of our campaign and in presenting relevant viable solutions. They are valuable for the european institutional organs as well in their efforts to contribute to the construction of a true Europe of citizens. They are valuable for citizens, men and women, partners in the family, social and political affairs. They are valuable for the information and sensitisation of the media. Despite some common results, there are major differences among member-states. For this reason, the results of the research need to be widely disseminated and discussed at international, european and national level. In this respect and in view of the current european elections, the role of “iKNOW politics” network with its international, easily accessible, interactive and lively character, could be a most vital tool for the exchange of best practices in relation to the need to promote women’s participation in politics as well as the need to promote the needs of women voters, as a priority.
Click here to read Mrs. Rodi Kratsa's interview with iKNOW Politics.
Press Release - EWL 50/50 Campaign for Democracy
Press Release - EWL 50/50 Campaign for Democracy
European Elections 2009: Most Political Parties Lagging Behind in the Road towards Gender Equality!
Most political parties do not consider equality between women and men as a key priority, says the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) in a Gender Audit Report published in light of the European elections 2009. This comes despite the strong competence of the European Union in the area. The EWL Gender Audit analyzes the available electoral manifestos of four of the main European political parties: the European People’s Party (EPP), the Party of European Socialists (PES), the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) and the European Greens.
The results of the review of the content of European electoral manifestos give the EPP a RED light; the ELDR a RED light; the GREENS a YELLOW light and the PES a GREEN light.
These results were based on the importance the manifestos give to four issues that the EWL sees as relevant for the realisation of equality between women and men, such as reconciliation of private and working life or violence against women. “It is very disappointing that political parties don’t prioritize over issues of equality between women and men, which should occupy a central place in our democracies. We strongly encourage women to be involved in European politics and to vote in the June elections, in order for the European Union to better fulfil their expectations and to fully contribute to equality in everyday life”, stated Brigitte Triems, President of the EWL.
The Gender Audit also looks at the presence of women on national electoral lists, including as heads of lists. The review shows that in 17 countries, there are more women on the lists than the current % of women MEPs. However, looking more accurately at where women are placed as heads of lists, there are only seven countries where this occurs. The current representation of women in the European Parliament for the four political groups reviewed gives a good indication of the commitment of these groups to the promotion of women in decision-making. For the 2004-2009 legislative period, the Greens had the highest percentage of women with a very near parity 47.6%, followed by the Socialist Group (41.2%) the Liberals (40.4%) and finally the Group of the EPP with only 24.03%.
We strongly invite you to read the whole gender audit report for more detailed information about specific countries and political parties on 5050democracy.
The EWL is the largest coalition of women’s organisation in the European Union with 2500 member organisations in 30 countries.
To read more click here.