post european elections 2004...

Post EuropeanElections 2004

SurveyField Work: June 2004 Publication: July 2004

E U R O B A R O M E T E R

Flash Eurobarometer 162

This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission.The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.



EOS Gallup Europe

Post European Elections 2004 SurveyField Work: June 2004 Publication: July 2004

Contents

i Introduction

m Methodology

c Conclusion

1 Abstention in the Background

i. European Contrasts (pg 3-4)

ii. Profile of Nonvoters (pg 5)

iii. Frequency of Nonvoting Behaviour (pg 6)

iv. The Decisive Moment for Abstaining (pg 7-9)

v. Reason for Abstaining (pg 10-12)

vi. Political Proximity of Interviewees (pg 13-14)

vii. Level of Information to go to Vote (pg 15-17)

2 The exposure to the European Elections

i. Experiences of the Electoral Campaign (pg. 18)

ii. Inciting Campaign to Vote (pg. 19-21)

iii. Electoral Campaign in the Press (pg. 22-23)

iv. Level of Knowledge of the National Winners (pg. 24-25)

3 The Weight of the European Issues on Vote

i. The moment of Decision ii. The Attitude Towards Europe and the Weight of Euroscepticism

(pg. 26)

(pg. 27-28)

(pg. 1)

(pg. 2)

(pg. 29)



EOS Gallup Europe


i Introduction

The biggest transnational election of all time has just taken place. Nearly 360 million voters from 25 Member states were invited to elect their representatives to the European Parliament between 10 to 13 June. On the day after the opening session, the new assembly will consist of no fewer than 732 MEP as against 626 in 1999.

The results of this election call for three major observations:

• Very high abstention that prompts some to refer to a real democratic breakdown.

• Strong mobilisation of Euroscepticism in certain Member States.

• Protest vote with regard to certain governments in national office.

Today, we need to study all of these aspects to understand the reasons for this abstentionism, and the attitude of those who voted and those who did not with regard to the European issue. A difference in exposure to the electoral campaign and European elections in general will also be considered as a possible explanation of this vote.

In this context, a broad post-election survey was conducted in the 25 Member States of the European Union under the aegis of the European Parliament (DG Information) in collaboration with the European Commission (DG PRESS) and the participation of the Institute for the study of social change.

In this post-electoral survey (which followed a pre-electoral barometric survey), more than 24,000 persons 18 and older were surveyed by telephone or face to face, just one week after the European elections. The idea was to do a survey as close to 13 June as possible to reduce the likelihood of the respondents having forgotten certain aspects of the elections.

The methodology used was the Directorate General Press and Communication's FLASH EUROBAROMETER (« Opinion surveys, Press reviews, Europe Direct » Unit), whose team helped develop

the questionnaire and managed the implementation of the work. A technical note, drafted by the EOS Gallup Europe, on how the interviews were conducted is annexed to this document and to each volume of results published for a Flash Eurobarometer. This technical note specifies the procedures for the interview, plus the confidence interval. The weighting criteria for this post-electoral study were gender, age, region of living as well as the reconstituted participation in European elections, the reconstituted vote and also participation in the last general election which took place in each of the Member States.

This presentation proposes to analyse the results of this survey according to three lines:

• Abstention: profile and motivation

• Exposure to European elections: experience associated with the electoral campaign and knowledge of the results of the elections

• The significance of European issues for the vote: the signs of Euroscepticism and the importance of these elections.

In addition to the results studied at European Union level (EU 25), we will try to highlight the sometimes significant differences between the results observed in the 15 "old" European Union Member States (EU 15) and the 10 new Member States that joined the Union on 1 May this year (NMS).

1



EOS Gallup Europe


2

m Methodology

For Whom

How

When

Sample

Under the aegis of the European Parliament, in collaboration with the European Commission and the participation of the Institute for the study of social change

Telephone and Face-to-face interviews

Fieldwork from 21st June until 30th of June 2004

24,063 persons aged 18 and over in the 25 Member States of the EU



EOS Gallup Europe


3


i. European Contrasts

1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004

63%61%

58.5% 56.8%

49.8%45.7%

Turnout trends at European Elections

Malta

82.4%

96%

Cyprus Lithuania Latvia Hungary Slovenia Czech Rep. Estonia Poland Slovakia

71.2%

91.8%

48.4%

55.9%

41.3%

71.5%

38.5%

73.5%

28.3%

72.1%

28.3%

58%

26.8%

58.2%

20.9%

46.3%

17%

70%

European Elections 2004 Last General Elections



EOS Gallup Europe


4


i. European Contrasts

EU Average 63% 61% / 58.5% 56.8% / / 49.8% 45.7%

1979 1984 1987 1989 1994 1995 1996 1999 2004

Country

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

France

Spain

Ireland

Italy

Luxemburg

The Netherlands

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

United Kingdom

65.7%

60.7%

91.4%

84.9%

88.9%

57.8%

32.2%

63.6%

47.8%

56.8%

56.7%

92.2%

83.4%

88.8%

50.6%

32.6%

47.6%

52.4%

77.2%

68.9%

72.4%

62.3%

48.7%

90.7%

81.5%

87.4%

47.2%

36.2%

68.3%

46.2%

79.9%

54.6%

51.2%

60.0%

52.7%

90.7%

74.8%

88.5%

35.6%

36.4%

44.0%

52.9%

71.2%

59.1%

35.5% 41.6%

67.7%

60.3%

45.2%

46.8%

91.0%

70.8%

87.3%

30.0%

24.0%

50.2%

50.5%

75.3%

63.0%

40.0%

38.8%

49.4%

31.4%

43.0%

42.8%

90.8%

73.1%

89.0%

39.3%

38.9%

58.8%

47.9%

63.2%

45.1%

38.6%

37.8%

42.4%

39.4%

Turnout trends at European Elections (as of 19/07/04)



EOS Gallup Europe


5


ii. Profile of Nonvoters

54% 54% 55%

67%63%

54%

41%

48%50%

55% 54%

64%

52%55%

53%56%

Men Women 18-24 25-39 40-54 55&+ 15& - 16-20 21& + SelfEmployed

Employee ManualWorker

WithoutProf.Act.

Metro-Politan

Towns RuralZones

SEX

AGEEDUCATION

OCCUPATION

LOCALITYTYPE

Eu25

60%



EOS Gallup Europe


6


iii. Frequency of Nonvoting Behaviour

Voted Gen. Elect. & Voted EE 2004

Voted Gen. Elect. & Not vote EE 2004

Did not vote Gen. Elect. & Did not vote EE 2004

Did not vote Gen. Elect. & Voted EE 2004

Not allocated

40%

31%

23%

5%

1%

44%

30%

20%

5%

1%

33%

39%

4%

2%

EU25 EU15 NMS

23%

The Mobilized Peopleat the National Level

31%

The Regular Voters

40%

The Regular Nonvoters

23%

The Mobilized peopleat the European Level

5%

Not Allocated

1%



EOS Gallup Europe


7


iv. The Decisive Moment for Abstaining

You decided on the day of the

Election

21%

You decided a few days before the

Elections

17% You decided a few weeks ago

15%

You decided a few months ago

17%

You never vote

21%

[DK/NA]

9%

You nevervote

21%

You decided a few months

ago

15%

You decided a few weeks

ago

15%

You decided a few days before theElections

16%

You decided on the day of the Election

23%

[DK/NA]

10%

[DK/NA]

7%

You decided a few days before theElections

20%You decided a few weeks

ago

17%

You decided a few months

ago

23%

You nevervote

18%You decided on the day of the Election

16%

Q. When did you decide NOT to vote in the recent European Parliament

NMS

EU15

EU25



EOS Gallup Europe


8


iv. The Decisive Moment for AbstainingQ. When did you decide NOT to vote in the recent European Parliament

EU 25 21% 17% 15%

15%

16%

11%

13%

19%

18%

15%

16%

15%

18%

16%

14%

15%

16%

16%

14%

17%

16%

17%

16%

17%

16%

17%

16%

16%

18%

17%

17%

14%

17%

16%

17%

16%

21%

20%

22%

23%

24%

21%

15%

17%

22%

23%

21%

25%

20%

19%

20%

20%

23%

9%

10%

9%

11%

10%

7%

10%

7%

9%

10%

8%

10%

7%

10%

12%

9%

9%

You decideda few months

ago

You decideda few weeks

ago

You decideda few daysbefore theElections

You decidedon the day

of theElection [DK/NA

SEX

Men

Women

AGE

18-24

25-39

40-54

55&+

EDUCATION

15& -

16-20

21& +

OCCUPATION

Self-employed

Employee

Manual worker

Without prof.act.

LOCALITY TYPE

Metropolitan

Towns

Rural zones

22%

19%

30%

21%

16%

18%

20%

22%

17%

18%

16%

27%

21%

21%

22%

18%

18%

16%

10%

14%

21%

22%

24%

15%

16%

18%

16%

17%

18%

15%

17%

19%

You nevervote

EU 25

NMS

21%

18%

17%

23%

15%

17%

7%

21%

12%

16%

16%

14%

17%

17%

15%

18%

17%

20%

21%

26%

10%

14%

16%

13%

7%

19%

20%

27%

21%

16%

31%

8%

9%

25%

20%

20%

24%

14%

24%

20%

9%

7%

7%

10%

12%

4%

10%

11%

12%

6%

6%

12%

You nevervote


ago


ago



of theElection [DK/NA]

Country

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Estonia

Hungary

Lithuania

Latvia

Malta

Poland

Slovenia

Slovakia

8%

18%

34%

19%

12%

22%

7%

18%

13%

8%

26%

16%

23%

21%

26%

20%

33%

26%

23%

16%

EU 25

EU 15

21%

21%

17%

15%

15%

15%

15%

13%

24%

11%

10%

10%

12%

12%

8%

14%

22%

9%

14%

19%

12%

17%

16%

12%

20%

15%

23%

14%

20%

6%

24%

7%

14%

18%

11%

15%

19%

10%

21%

23%

4%

30%

22%

15%

23%

23%

18%

18%

3%

30%

17%

28%

25%

21%

23%

9%

10%

27%

12%

7%

4%

18%

14%

31%

5%

25%

8%

7%

8%

8%

8%

10%

You nevervote


ago


ago



of theElection [DK/NA]

Country

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

France

Spain

Ireland

Italy

Luxemburg

The Netherlands

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

United Kingdom

28%

10%

18%

24%

25%

20%

21%

12%

53%

16%

16%

23%

19%

9%

34%

15%

16%

14%

23%

10%

14%

13%

29%

4%

18%

20%

20%

19%

25%

11%



EOS Gallup Europe


9


iv. The Decisive Moment for AbstainingQ. When did you decide NOT to vote in the recent European Parliament



EOS Gallup Europe


10


v. Reason for Abstaining

EU 25 EU 15 NMS

22%

19%

34%

Lack of trust in /dissatisfaction withpolitics in general

14%13%

10%9%

12%14%

10%8%

21%

10%8%

14%

Not interestedin politics as such

Too busy /no time / work

On holiday /away from home

Vote has noconsequences / doesnot change anything

Q. What were the main reasons why you did NOT vote in the recent European Parliament elections?

Motivations linked to criticismof the politics 49%

20%

42%

19%

76%

20%

EU25 EU15 NMS

Motivations linked to criticism or thelack of knowledge of the European matters

>39%

30% - 39%

20% - 29%

10% -19%

<10%

22%

34%

15%

39%

13%

20%

27%

33%

49%

37%

19%

40%

EU 25

NMS

Country

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Estonia

Hungary

Lithuania

Latvia

Malta

Poland

Slovenia

Slovakia

EU 25

EU 15

22%

19%

Country

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

France

Spain

Ireland

Italy

Luxemburg

The Netherlands

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

United Kingdom

2%

2%

36%

8%

13%

12%

11%

30%

2%

7%

17%

24%

4%

3%

12%



EOS Gallup Europe


11


v. Reason for AbstainingQ. What were the main reasons why you did NOT vote in the recent European Parliament elections?

Answers: Not interested in politics as such



EOS Gallup Europe


12


v. Reason for AbstainingQ. What were the main reasons why you did NOT vote in the recent European Parliament elections?

Answers: Lack of trust / dissatisfaction with politics in general

EU 25

EU 15

14%

12%

Country

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

France

Spain

Ireland

Italy

Luxemburg

The Netherlands

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

United Kingdom

6%

7%

7%

8%

15%

8%

10%

11%

27%

10%

6%

8%

13%

7%

25%

14%

21%

7%

34%

7%

20%

7%

32%

17%

19%

13%

26%

EU 25

NMS

Country

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Estonia

Hungary

Lithuania

Latvia

Malta

Poland

Slovenia

Slovakia

>30%

20% - 29%

10% -19%

<10%



EOS Gallup Europe


13


vi. Political Proximity of Interviewees

65%Voted 45.7%

35%Did not Vote 54.3%

32%

68%

57%

43%

Very close toone of the

political parties

Not at all closeto any of the

political parties

Somewhat closeto one of the

political partiesEU25

TurnoutEE 2004



WithoutProf.Act.

Metro-Politan

Towns RuralZones

SEX AGE EDUCATION OCCUPATION LOCALITYTYPE

Eu25

14% 15%13%

8% 9%

14%

22%20%

12% 13%17%

11% 11%

16%14% 14% 15%

36%37%

35%

31%

37%

37%

37%

32%

34%

45%38%

40%

31%

35%40%

36%32%

47% 54% 48% 46% 44% 47% 49%45%57%48%41%53%40%59%50%49% 52%

Yes, very close to oneof the political parties

Yes, somewhat close to oneof the political parties

No, not at all close to anyof the political parties

Q. Do you feel close to any one of the political parties?

(fig 1.6.a) Overview of Results (Tabular representation for EU25)

37%42% 50% 51%46% 30% 43% 47%

38%47% 32% 35% 64% 65% 47%

66%

39%

39%

36%

37%41%

35%

43%

36%

52%

36% 37%

54%

26% 25%

45%

24%

14%

30%

25%

18% 17% 17% 16% 16% 15%13%

11% 11%9% 9% 8% 8%

36%

49%




EU25 EU15 UKBE DKDEEL FR IEIT LU NLAT PT FI SEES

14%



EOS Gallup Europe


14


vi. Political Proximity of IntervieweesQ. Do you feel close to any one of the political parties?

36%

49%




EU25 NMS SK PLEE CZ SIHU LVLTCYMT

14% 12%

41%

26% 26%

19%16% 16%

10% 10% 9%

3%

21%

29%

36%

21%30%

30%

38%

20%

16%

21%

11%

63% 49%28% 36%

45%

42%

66% 67%45%

71%85%

EU25 NMS



EOS Gallup Europe


15


vii. Level of Information to go to Vote

59%Had all the necessary information tochoose for whom you were going to vote

39%Did not have all the necessary informationto choose for whom you were going to vote

47%

50%

72%

27%

EU25 Did not voteVoted

Turnout EE 2004

2%DK/NA 3%1%

Q. You had all the necessary information in order to choose for whom you were going to vote in the recent European Elections



EOS Gallup Europe


16


vii. Level of Information to go to VoteQ. You had all the necessary information in order to choose for whom you were going to vote in the recent European Elections



WithoutProf.Act.

Metro-Politan

Towns RuralZones


Eu25

Yes, rather

59% 60%57%

47%

54%

61%65%

62%

56%60% 60% 61%

55%58% 57%

60%57%

39% 38% 43% 37% 32% 35% 42% 38% 37%38% 43% 39% 40% 38% 40%40% 50%

No, rather does not

EU25 EU15 UKBE DKDE EL FRIE ITLU NLAT PTFI SEES

Yes, rather No, rather does not

59%62%

79%

39% 36% 20% 25% 27% 29% 29%33%

30%36% 38% 39% 40% 42%

44% 47% 54%

73%71% 70% 69%

66% 66%

62%60% 59% 58% 57%

52%50%

44%

Yes, rather No, rather does not

EU25 NMS SK PLEE CZSI HU LVLT CYMT

59%

42%

80%

76%73%

64%62% 62%

49%

42% 41%

28%

39%54% 23% 33% 36%

33%49%

52% 52%

69%19%

21%



EOS Gallup Europe


17


vii. Level of Information to go to VoteQ. You had all the necessary information in order to choose for whom you were going to vote in the recent European Elections

EU25 NMS



EOS Gallup Europe


The exposure to the European Elections

i. Experiences of the Electoral CampaignQ. Political parties and candidates campaigned for votes in the European Parliament elections we have just had.For each of the following, please tell me if you have been in this situation or not…

2

EU 25 EU 15 NMS

You took part in publicgatherings or meetings

concerning the EuropeanParliament Elections

5% 5% 5%

You have been contactedby political parties orcandidates or theirrepresentatives by

phone

5% 5%1%

Political parties orcandidates or their

representatives calledto your home

6% 6%

1%

You have searchedfor information on

the European Electionson the internet

7% 8%6%

You have beenapproached in thestreet by political

parties or candidatesor their representatives

12% 13%

8%

89% 89%87%

You have seenadvertisements for

parties or candidates

82% 82% 81%

You received leafletsconcerning the EuropeanElections in your mailbox

68%71%

55%

You have read about the electoral campaign

in the newspapers

65%67%

57%

You have discussed theEuropean ParliamentElections with yourfamily, friends or

acquaintances

56% 56%58%

You have been awareof a non-party campaign

or advertisementencouraging people

to vote in the EuropeanParliament elections

36%39%

22%

You have seen or heardthings concerning theelectoral campaignon television or on

the radio

18



EOS Gallup Europe



ii. Inciting Campaign to VoteQ. You have been aware of a non-party campaign or advertisement encouraging people to vote in the European Parliament election

2

19

Yes No

EU25 EU15 UK BEDK DE ELFRIE IT LUNL AT PTFI SE ES

36%39%

67%

63% 60% 32%

65%

59% 58% 57%

51%

47%

41%39% 38%

34%

28%

24% 24%21%

33% 40% 43% 48% 52% 57% 57%61% 65% 71% 75% 74% 77%38%

EU25

Yes No

EU25 NMS SKPLEE CZSIHU LV LTCY MT

36%

22%

39%

30%

26%24% 24% 24%

20%

13% 13% 12%

63%75% 58%

63%

72% 74%70%

72%79%

80%

84%83%

NMS



WithoutProf.Act.

Metro-Politan

Towns RuralZones


Eu25

36%38%

34%36%

38%35% 34%

31%

35%

43%

39% 40%

30%

35% 36%38%

33%

63% 61% 61%63% 63% 67% 63% 56% 59% 59% 68% 63% 63% 61% 65%64% 63%

Yes No



EOS Gallup Europe




2

20

36%Have been aware of a non-party campaignor advertisement encouraging people tovote in the European Parliament elections

63%

Have not been aware of a non-partycampaign or advertisement encouragingpeople to vote in the European Parliamentelections

31%

67%

42%

57%


Turnout EE 2004

1%DK/NA 1%2%



EOS Gallup Europe




2

21

Yes No Yes No

EU25 EU15 UKBE DKDE ELFRIE ITLU NLAT PTFI SE ES

65%67%

87% 86%

82%

35% 33% 14%13% 18% 18% 19% 21% 24% 27% 28% 31% 40% 43% 43% 53% 57%

82% 81%79%

75%73% 72%

69%

59%57% 57%

46%43%



EOS Gallup Europe


EU25 NMS SK PLEE CZSIHU LVLT CYMT

65%

57%

76%74%

72% 71%

67% 67%

63%60%

57%

46%

35% 42% 24% 26% 28% 28% 33%31%

37%37%

43% 54%


iii. Electoral Campaign in the PressQ. You have read about the electoral campaign in the newspapers

2

22

EU25 NMS



WithoutProf.Act.

Metro-Politan

Towns RuralZones


Eu25

Yes No

65%

69%

61% 60%

65%

69%

65%

35% 31% 35% 31% 35%40%38% 45% 34% 24% 32% 27% 39% 38% 30% 35% 39%

54%

66%

76%

68%

73%

61% 61%

70%

65%

61%



EOS Gallup Europe



iii. Electoral Campaign in the PressQ. You have read about the electoral campaign in the newspapers

2

23



EOS Gallup Europe


Correct Answer Wrong Answer [DK/NA]Correct Answer Wrong Answer [DK/NA]

EU25 EU15 UKBEDK DEEL FR IEITLU NLATPT FISEES

60% 60%

95%

82% 81%

77% 77% 76%

70%

66%

62%

58%

52%

42%

25% 25% 24%

12% 13%

2%

4% 4%5%

8%6%

15% 18%

10%

9%17%

33%

42% 43%

24%

28% 27% 3% 14% 15% 18% 15% 18% 15% 15% 28% 32%32%

24% 33% 32% 52%

EU25 NMS SK PL EECZ SIHU LVLTCYMT

60% 59%

91% 90%

83%

12%

7%

5%

7%

33% 10%8%4%28%

2%

75% 74%

59%

52%50%

45% 44%

7%7%

13%

10% 11%

7%

15%

18%18% 28% 38% 39% 48% 41%


iv. Level of Knowledge of the National WinnersQ. Could you tell me which political party got the highest number of votes in the recent European Parliament elections in your country?

2

24

EU25 NMS



WithoutProf.Act.

Metro-Politan

Towns RuralZones


Eu25

Correct Answer Wrong Answer [DK/NA]

60%

66%

54%57% 57%

63% 62%

54%

59%

69%

61%63%

54%

59%

69%

58%55%

12%

12%

12%11%

13%

12% 12%

12%

12%

12%

15% 12%

12%

12%

10%

14%

12%

23% 30% 26% 34% 24% 29% 29%28% 33% 32% 27% 29% 19% 25% 34% 22% 33%



EOS Gallup Europe



iv. Level of Knowledge of the National WinnersQ. Could you tell me which political party got the highest number of votes in the recent European Parliament elections in your country?

2

25

You have always voted like this

52%


16%

You decided a few weeks ago

12%

You decided afew days before

the Elections

11%


of theElection

8%

[DK/NA]

1%


41%


18%


14%


the Elections

15%


of theElection

12%


53%


16%


12%


the Elections

11%


of theElection

8%

[DK/NA]

1%



EOS Gallup Europe


NMS

EU15

EU25

The Weight of the European Issues on Vote

i. The moment of DecisionQ. When did you decide to vote for the political party or candidate you voted for in the recent European Parliament elections?

3

26



EOS Gallup Europe



ii. The Attitude Towards Europe and the Weight of EuroscepticismQ. For each of the following propositions, please tell me if it rather corresponds or rather does not correspond to your attitude or your opinion. Answers "Yes, rather “

3

EU 25 EU 15 NMS

You feel attached to[COUNTRY]

93% 93% 94%

The membership of[COUNTRY] in theEuropean Union is

a good thing

70%73%

55%

You feel attached toEurope

69% 70%68%

You feel you are acitizen of the

European Union

66%69%

52%

You had all thenecessary information

in order to choosefor whom you were

going to vote inthe recent European

Elections

59%62%

42%

It is very importantfor you which

particular politicalparty gained themost seats in the

European Parliamentelections

47%49%

34%

43% 44%

35%

It is very importantfor you which

particular candidateswho win seats and

become MEPs in theEuropean Parliament

elections

45% 45% 45%

The EuropeanParliament takesinto considerationthe concerns of

European citizens

46%48%

36%

You trust theinstitutions of theEuropean Union

46%48%

35%

You are veryinterested in politicsand current affairs

27

You feel attached to [COUNTRY]

The membership of [COUNTRY] in theEuropean Union is a good thing


Turnout EE 2004

You feel attached to Europe

You feel you are a citizen of the EuropeanUnion

You trust the institutions of the EuropeanUnion

The European Parliament takes intoconsideration the concerns of Europeancitizens

93%

70%

69%

66%

46%

45%

95%

79%

77%

74%

55%

51%

92%

63%

63%

59%

39%

39%



EOS Gallup Europe



ii. The Attitude Towards Europe and the Weight of EuroscepticismQ. For each of the following propositions, please tell me if it rather corresponds or rather does not correspond to your attitude or your opinion. Answers "Yes, rather “

3

28



EOS Gallup Europe


29

c Conclusion

The European elections in 2004 were exceptional in more than one way: first, by the number of potential voters who were invited to elect their MEPs, secondly by the number of lists and candidates for office and finally, by the record abstention for these elections.

Nevertheless, the results of this post-electoral survey show that high rates of abstention are not inevitable. The comparison of rates of participation for the last four elections organised in each of the Member States indicates that voters assess the importance they award to each type of election and decide to go to the polls or to abstain on that basis. This means that by insisting on the issues at stake in the European elections and their consequences on daily life, it should be possible to increase participation in elections.

The choice of the timing is not insignificant: certain non-voters, who nevertheless turned out in the last general election, could not make it to the polls because they were on holidays or away from home.

This survey also shows that in the pre-electoral period, the public receives information, more than it seeks information. The so-called traditional media (television, radio, press) are still indispensable to rapidly distribute information to a broad audience on the electoral campaign and European elections in general.

Despite a weak recollection of the awareness campaign, it seems it had a positive effect on participation at the polls. Now, the question is how to manage to keep some voters from limiting their participation to the general elections organised in their own country.

On the whole, abstentionists did not spontaneously choose to abstain at the European elections for reasons associated with Europe. Abstention is first of all an expression of disappointment in the political system. Nevertheless, increasing participation can be a double-edged sword. The differences observed in voters' and abstentionists' opinion show that probably the votes of certain abstentionists would result in a rise in Euroscepticism on the whole.

Consequently, the stakes are double for the 2009 European elections: taking action so that more potential voters give their opinion in the ballot box and working for the next five years to convince all the abstentionists of the advantages of the construction of Europe for their country and particularly for themselves.

post european elections 2004...

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