THE 1989 ELECTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Also by Palgrave Macmillan THE EUROPEAN POLICY OF THE SPD THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL ELECTION OF 1975 (with Stephen Levine) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (with Valentine Herman) TERRORISM: a Challenge to the State (editor) THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND NEW ZEALAND DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: a Community Perspective (with Valentine Herman) INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (editor) THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY: Bibliographical Excursions (editor) DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 1984 (editor) EUROPEAN UNION: the European Community in Search of a Future (editor) THE THREAT OF TERRORISM (editor) THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE (editor)

The 1989 Election of the European Parliament Edited by

Juliet Lodge

Reader in European Community Politics and Director of the European Community Research Unit, University of Hull

Palgrave Macmillan

ISBN 978-1-349-10895-4 ISBN 978-1-349-10893-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-10893-0 Selection and editorial matter© Juliet Lodge 1990 Chapter 1 © Juliet Lodge 1990 Chapter 2 ©John Fitzmaurice 1990 Chapter 3 © Alastair H. Thomas 1990 Chapter 4 ©Eva Kolinsky1990 Chapter 5 ©Kevin Featherstone and Susannah Verney 1990 Chapter 6 © Richard Gillespie 1990 Chapter 7 ©Paul Hainsworth 1990 Chapter 8 © Michael Gallagher 1990 Chapter 9 © Philip Daniels 1990 Chapter 10 © Ruud Koole 1990 Chapter 11 ©Michael Burgess and Adrian Lee 1990 Chapter 12 ©Juliet Lodge 1990 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1990 All rights reserved. For information, write: Scholarly and Reference Division, St. Martin's Press, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010 First published in the United States of America in 1990

ISBN 978-0-312-04494-7 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The 1989 Election of the European Parliament/edited by Juliet Lodge. p. em. ISBN 978-0-312-04494-7 1. European Parliament-Elections, 1989. I. Lodge, Juliet. JN36.D55 1990 324.94'0558-dc20 89-70326 CIP

To Keri-Michele, David and Christopher

Contents viii

List of Tables Preface

ix

List of Abbreviations

xi xvii

Notes on the Contributors

1 Ten Years of an Elected European Parliament Juliet Lodge

1

2 Belgium and Luxembourg John Fitzmaurice

37

3 Denmark Alastair H. Thomas

53

4 The Federal Republic of Germany Eva Kolinsky

66

5 Greece Kevin Featherstone and Susannah Verney

90

6

Spain and Portugal

Richard Gillespie

107

7 France Paul Hainsworth

126

8 Ireland Michael Gallagher

145

9 Italy Philip Daniels

159

10 The Netherlands RuudKoole 11

179

The United Kingdom Michael Burgess and Adrian Lee

190

12 1989: Edging towards 'genuine' Euro-elections? Juliet Lodge

210

Index

236 vii

List of Tables 2.1 2.2 3.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3 5.1

6.1 6.2 7.1 8.1 8.2 9.1 10.1 11.1 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4

The results of the 1987 General Election and the 1984 and 1989 Euro-elections in Belgium The results of the 1984 and 1989 Euro-elections in Luxembourg Opinion poll on the Single European Act, Denmark, 1986 Share of votes and seats won, 1984 and 1989 in Denmark Electoral turnout in direct elections to the European Parliament by West German regions, in comparison with 1987 federal and recent regional elections West Germany: political parties elected to the European Parliament, 1979--89 West Germany: European election results by region and party 1989 and 1984 Greek elections to the European Parliament 1981--89 Spanish EP election results, 1989 and 1987 Portuguese EP election results, 1989 and 1987 The European elections in France, 1989 Ireland: results of previous EP elections and 1987 Dail election Ireland: results of 1989 EP and Dail elections Italy: 1989 and 1984 EP election results and 1987 General Election results.(Chamber of Deputies) The Netherlands: EP elections 1984 and 1989 Distribution of seats under regional lists (Great Britain, excluding Northern Ireland) Favourability towards the promotion of common policies by 1992 Advantages of the Single Common European Market by 1992 (autumn 1988) Advantages of the Single Market for working people Strength of the party groups

viii

46

48 55 62 66 67 81 102

119 122 141 148 155 171 188 203 214 216 220 222

Preface The third direct elections to the European Parliament (EP) took place in a climate of some optimism as to the possibilities for further European integration. The political implications of the mere phrase 'a Single European Market' and the magic numerals 1992 (and 1993 in France) remained obscure. There was little sign of the Angst that surrounded the implications of the first EP elections in 1979. Equally remarkable was the complacency that greeted the idea of European Union. In both 1979 and 1984, European Union was often spurned as a fanciful federal fantasy. Stemming the accretion of the EP's power, so often seen as necessary to preventing a slide into federalism, had then also commended itself to many governments and parties. Yet in 1989, when the EP had actually gained in influence, little was heard against it. This suggests not only that the EP had become accepted as a legitimate EC institution in its own right but that its pursuit of greater power was no longer easily to be exploited by its opponents and opponents of the EC as an illegitimate aspiration. Furthermore, in none of the states was the desirability of continued EC membership a key issue around which the electorate could be mobilised. In contrast to the two previous direct elections, when the EC seemed to be drifting in a somewhat directionless manner, the 1989 EP elections took place against a seemingly concrete, pragmatic backcloth. The Single European Market was the goal and few had fathomed its implications, costs and benefits. Fewer made much of them in the elections themselves. Instead, in each member state, the EP elections became another occasion for domestic political jousting. At the same time, as each of the following case studies show, the Euro-dimension to the elections was not to be completely eclipsed. This book aims to provide a brief overview of the 1989 EP elections in each of the member states. Each case study addresses a common set of issues. Each is designed to be intelligible to non-specialists and to those unfamiliar with the state in question. An introductory chapter surveys the EP's development over the past decade. While progress can be recorded in respect of two of the outstanding issues of the 1979 and 1984 EP elections (the EP's seat and its role in the EC's legislative process) resolution of the third (the uniform electoral procedure) remains elusive. Space limitations preclude the inclusion of a comprehensive bibliography. However, a great deal of material ix

X

Preface

on the 1979 and 1984 EP elections and on the EP itself is now available in English as well as other EC languages. We thank the EP's Press and Information Offices throughout the EC, the EP party groups, the transnational federations, national parties, EP officials, MEPs and EP candidates for their forbearance in answering our questions. Editing the volume was facilitated by the good-humoured cooperation of the contributors, the eagle-eye of my husband, and the consumer-testing of election stickers and novelties by my children: Luxembourg Euro-lollies, the Belgian EP elections dove logo, and the Socialist Group badge won hands down. Hull, July 1989

JULIET LODGE

List of Abbreviations ABC A GALEY AP BRT CD CDA CDS CDS CDS CDU CDU CGT CiU CN COM COMECON CONS CPN CSP

csu csv

CVP DC DI.ANA DKP DM DP DP DR DS D'66 DUP DVU EC ECJ ECOLO ECSC

Atomic, Bacteriological, Chemical Anders Gaan Leven Alianza Popular Belgian Radio/TV (Flemish) Centrum-Demokraterne Christen Demokratisch Appel Centre des Democrates Sociaux Centro Democnitico y Social Partido do Centro Democnitico Social Christlich-Demokratische Union Coliga~ao Democnitica Unitaria Confederation generate des travailleurs Convergencia i Uni6 Coalici6n Nacionalista Communist and Allies Group Council for Mutual Economic Assistance Conservative and Unionist Party Communistische Partij Nederland Confederation of Socialist Parties of the EC Christlich-Soziale Union Chreschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei Christelijke Volkspartij Democrazia Cristiana Dimokratiki Ananeosi Danmarks Kommunistiske Parti Deutsch Mark Democrazia Proletaria Demokratesch Partei Denmarks Retsforbundet Dansk Samling Demokraten 66 Democratic Unionist Party Deutsche Volksunion European Community European Court of Justice Mouvement 'Ecolo'- 'Les Verts' European Coal and Steel Community xi

xii ECU ED EDA EDA EDOK EDU EE EEC EFTA ELD ELDR EMS EMU EP EP EPC EPEN EPP ER ERASMUS ERDF ERT ESF ETA EUL EURATOM EUREKA EUT EVP EVP

FB

FDF FDF/ERE FDP FF FF FG FN FRG

List of Abbreviations European Currency Unit European Democratic Group Eniaia Dimokratiki Aristera European Democratic Alliance Ellinik6 Dimokratik6 Oikologik6 Kinima European Democratic Union Euskadiko Ezkerra European Economic Community European Free Trade Area European Liberals and Democrats European Liberal, Democratic and Reform Parties European Monetary System Economic and Monetary Union Coalici6n por Ia Europa de los Pueblos European Parliament European Political Cooperation Ethniki Politiki Enossis European People's Party Group of the European Right European Community Action Scheme for Mobility of University Students European Regional Development Fund Elliniki Radiofonia Tile6rasi European Social Fund Euskadi Ta Askatasuna Group of the European United Left European Atomic Energy Community European Research Coordination Agency European Union Treaty Europese Volkspartij Evangelische Yolks Partij Folkebevregelsen mod EF Front Democratique des Francophones Front Democratique des Francophones/Europe Regions, Ecologie Freie Demokratische Partei Deutschlands Fianna Fail French Franc Fine Gael Front Nationale Federal Republic of Germany

List of Abbreviations FRP GAL GAP GDP GLEI GMO GPV GRAEL GRAL HB lAC IDE IGC IND INF IP IRA IU KAP KF KKE KKE-es KODISO KPL KRF LAB LDR LO LSAP LU MEP MRC MRG MSI-DN NATO NB ND NF NOP NPD ODP

Fremskridtspartiet Grupos Antiterroristas de Liberaci6n Greng Alternativ Partei Gross Domestic Product Greng Lescht fir Ecologesch Initiativ God Met Ons Gereformeerd Politiek Verbond Griine Alternativ Allianz Greng Alternativ Allianz Herri Batasuna EP Committee on Institutional Affairs Initiative for European Democracy Inter-governmental Conference 'Non-attached' MEPs Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Izquierda de los Pueblos Irish Republican Army Izquierda Unida Kommunistiske Arbejderparti Det Konservative Folkeparti Kommounistiko Komma tis Elladas Kommounistiko Komma tis Elladas esoterikou Komma Dimokratikou Sosialismou Kommunistesch Partei Letzeburg Kristeligt Folkeparti Labour Party Liberal and Democratic Reformist Group Landsorganisationen Letzeburger Sozialistisch Arbechterpartei Left Unity Member of the European Parliament Movement of Cemmunist Renovators Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche Movimento Sociale ltaliano-Destra Nazionale North Atlantic Treaty Organisation National Bewegong Nea Dimokratia Nordisk Folkeparti National Opinion Poll Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands Okologisch-Demokratische Partei

Xlll

xiv OIK.ENAL OI.KI.P.AN OJ OUP PA PAC PASOK PCE PCF PCI PCP PDS PLI PNV POS pp PPR PR PR PR PRD PRI PRL PS PS PSC PSD PSDI PSI PSOE PSP PTB PTE PvdA PvdA

PVV

RAI RBW REP RPF RPR

List of Abbreviations Oikol6goi Enallaktikoi Oikologik6 Kinima Politiki Anagennisi Official Journal Official Unionist Party Partido Andalucista EP Political Affairs Committee Panellinio Sosialistiko Kinima Partido Comunista Espana Parti Communiste Francais Partito Communista Italiano Partido Comunista Portugues Progressive Democrats Partito Liberale Italiano Partido Nacionalista Vasco Parti Ouvrier Socialist Partido Popular Politieke Partij Radikalen Parti Republicain Partito Radical Proportional Representation Partido Renovador Democnitico Partito Repubblicano Italiano Parti Reformateur Liberal Partido Socialista Parti Socialiste Parti Social Chretien Partido Social Democrata Partito Socialista Democratico Italiano Partito Socialista Italiano Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol Pacifistisch Socialistische Partij Parti des Travailleurs Belges Partido de los Trabajadores de Espana Partij van de Arbeid Partij von de Arbijd Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang Radiotelevisione ltaliana Rainbow Group Die Republikaner Reformatorisch Politieke Federatie Rassemblement pour Ia Republique

List of Abbreviations RTE

RTFB RV

s

SDLP SDP SEA SEM SF SGP SLD SNP

soc

SP SPD STOA STY SVP TD

The Nine The Six The Ten The Twelve TUC UCD UDC UDF UEP UGT UGT UK UN USA USSR

v

VAT

XV

Radio Telefis Eireann Belgian Radio/TV (Francophone) Radikale Venstre Socialdemokratiet Social Democratic and Labour Party Social Democratic Party Single European Act Single European Market Socialistisk Folkeparti Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij Social and Liberal Democratic Party Scottish National Party Socialist Group Socialistische Partij Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands Scientific and Technical Operations Assessment Single Transferable Vote Siidtiroler Volkspartei Teachta Dala Members of the EC after the first enlargement (Six plus Denmark, Ireland and UK) Members of the EC before enlargement (France, Italy, FRG, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) Members of the EC after the second enlargement (Nine plus Greece) Members of the EC after the third enlargement (Ten plus Portugal and Spain) Trades Union Congress Union del Centro Democnitico Union de Centre Union pour Ia Democratie Fran~aise Uniform Electoral Procedure Uniao Geral dos Trabalhadores Union General de Trabajadores United Kingdom United Nations United States of America Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti Value Added Tax

xvi VEGA

List of Abbreviations Verts et Gauche Alternative VS Venstre Socialisteme VU Volksunie VVD Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Demo WWF World Wildlife Fund YES Youth Exchange Scheme

Notes on the Contributors Michael Burgess is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at Polytechnic South West. He is the author of Federalism and European Union: Political Ideas, Influences and Strategies in the European Community, I9721987. Philip Daniels is a Lecturer in Politics at the University of Newcastleupon-Tyne. He is the author of numerous articles on Italian politics. Kevin Featherstone is a Lecturer in the Department of European Studies at the University of Bradford. He is the author of Socialist Parties and European Integration: A Comparative History and coeditor of Political Change in Greece: Before and After the Colonels. John Fitzmaurice works for the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels. He is the author of The Party Groups in the European Parliament, The European Parliament, Politics in Belgium and Politics in Denmark, and co-author of The European Parliament: a Guide to Direct Elections. He has just completed In Defence of Austria. Michael Gallagher is a Lecturer in Politics at Trinity College, Dublin. He is the author of The Irish Labour Party in Transition, Political Parties in the Republic of Ireland, and co-editor of Candidate Selection in Comparative Perspective: the Secret Garden of Politics. Richard Gillespie is Lecturer in the Politics of Mediterranean Europe at the University of Warwick. He is the author of The Spanish Socialist Party. Paul Hainsworth is a Lecturer in Politics at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown. He is the co-author of Decentralisation and Change in Contemporary France and Northern Ireland and the European Community: An Economic and Political Perspective. Eva Kolinsky is Professor of German at the University of Bath. She is the author of Engagierter Expressionismus, Literatur zwischen Weltkrieg und Politik, Parties, Opposition and Society in West Germany, and editor of Opposition in Western Europe. xvn

XV111

Notes on the Contributors

Ruud A. Koole is a Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Leiden. He is the author of various volumes and numerous articles on Dutch politics. Adrian Lee is Head of the Department of Social and Political Studies at Polytechnic South West. His research interests are in territorial politics and electoral behaviour. Juliet Lodge is Reader in European Community Politics and Director of the European Community Research Unit at the University of Hull. She is the author and editor of books on the European Community, including The European Community and New Zealand, Institutions and Policies of the European Community, Direct Elections to the European Parliament 1984, European Union: The European Community in Search of a Future, The Threat of Terrorism and The European Community and the Challenge of the Future, and co-author of The European Parliament and the European Community and Direct Elections to the European Parliament: A Community Perspective. Alastair H. Thomas is Principal Lecturer in Political Science at Lancashire Polytechnic in Preston. He is the co-author of The Consensual Democracies? The Government and Politics of the Scandinavian States and The Future of Social Democracy: Problems and Prospects of Social Democratic Parties in Western Europe. Susannah Verney is an Associate of the Centre for Development Studies, Research and Management (KAMEO) in Athens. She is the author of a number of articles on Greek-EC relations and other aspects of contemporary Greek politics.