Brussels, 11/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - The first good news of the European elections came from the Netherlands, where on Thursday, the turnout rate reached 39.1%, compared to 29.9% in 1999. In the United Kingdom, the European elections attracted no more people than usual. The turnout rate is likely to be just over 20%, except in four regions, which practised postal voting for the first time, and where the turnout is set to be between 35 and 37%.
As anticipated, the media published the "unofficial" results of the election in the Netherlands on Thursday evening. The Christian Democrats of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, the VVD Liberals and the D66 Centrists, who make up the ruling coalition, all lose seats, whereas "Europa Transparant" join the European Parliament. The Left and the Socialists each win a seat. A good result, given that the Netherlands go from 31 seats to 27.
There follows an overview of the results (with the unknowns linked to the preferential vote):
CDA (Christian Democrats): 7 seats (-2). In principle, those elected are: -Carmiel Eurlings (30), previously a national MP; the outgoing Maria Martens (49); -the outgoing Albert-Jan Maat (51); -Corien Wortmaan-Kool (45), civil servant; -the outgoing Bert Doorn (55); former regional MP Lambert van Nistelrooij (51); -businessman and regional MP Joop Post. The outgoing Ria Oomen-Ruijten, who joined the EP in 1989, and Bartho Pronk, an MEP since 1979, were not elected, unless they scrape through on the preferential voting.
VVD (Liberal): 4 seats (-2). Liberal voters have a strong tradition of using the preferential vote, and the results will not be known for certain until the official announcement of the results on Tuesday 15 June. The outgoing Jules Maaten, Jan Mulder and Toine Manders are likely to be re-elected.
D66 (Centrist): 1 seat (-1). It will not be known until Tuesday whether Sophie In t'Veld, who headed the list, or one of the outgoing MEPs, Johanna Boogerd-Quaak or Bob van den Bos, was elected.
PvdA (Socialist): 7 seats (+1). The outgoing Max van den Berg (58); -the outgoing Jan Marinus Wiersma (52); -Edith Mastenbroek (28); -the outgoing Dorette Corbey (47); the journalist Thijs Berman; -the outgoing Ieke van den Burg (52); local MP Lily Jacobs.
Socialistische Partij (Left wing): 2 seats (+1). The outgoing Erik Meijer is likely to be accompanied by René Roovers.
Groen Links (Greens): 2 seats (-2). Kathalijne Buitenweg (34) and Joost Lagendijk (46) keep their seats.
Christen Unie/Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij (Orthodox Protestant parties): 2 seats (-1). The names of the two MEPs will not be known until Tuesday.
Europa Transparant: 2 seats (+2). The European civil servant Paul van Buitenen (47), who has criticised some of his institution's behaviour, joins the Parliament, and may be accompanied by Els de Groen.