European elections 2019

All articles and backgrounds

Fourteen days left. Then there is the European election. Three years after the British decided to leave the European Union, two years after Emmanuel Macron moved into the Élysée Palace with "La République En Marche" and a decidedly pro-European agenda in France, Europe elects its parliament.

Actually, the continent should stumble on this choice, euphoric or full of fear, but in any case emotionally. This election is the most important choice that has been held since the beginning of the European Union, it says everywhere.

It's true - it's a policy choice. Around 400 million people are called upon to vote and to decide whether or not the countries of the European Union will cooperate more closely in the future. Whether the goal might someday be the United States of Europe, or whether it should remain a union of nation-states.

But despite the increase to the "fate choice", it seems two weeks before, as if Europe is not on the priority list of German leaders at first place.

The candidates, the electoral system, the money

For example, there is the case with the applicants : the politicians who have been the top candidates for the individual parties in the European election campaign are mostly passionate Europeans. But they are often completely unknown. Even the Union's top candidate Manfred Weber (CSU), who wants to become the President of the EU Commission and thus the successor of Jean-Claude Juncker, know, according to a survey, only 26 percent of Germans. The only really well-known German top candidate is Katarina Barley (SPD), currently Federal Minister of Justice. (Read a portrait here.)

Stimmenfang # 98 - Debate on the European elections - Manfred Weber, why are not you braver?

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The electoral system is complicated too. For the second time, pan-European top candidates will arrive - one of them will represent the Commission President. For the conservative party family EVP is the weaver. (Read a portrait here.) For the social democratic party family S & D it is Frans Timmermans, not Katarina Barley. You can not choose Timmermans directly in Germany. Transnational lists, as proposed by French President Macron, failed because of the resistance of the conservatives.

But this is the only way to choose a top candidate in all countries. Even Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) said in an interview that the establishment of European top candidates will only work in the long term if the candidate is on a transnational list and can therefore be chosen by all.

And then there is the money : The parties in Germany spend on average significantly less for the European elections than, for example, for a federal election.

  • The SPD spent for the European election campaign claims to 11 million euros, in the election campaign was the budget estimated at 24 million euros. In 2014, according to "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung", it was 10 million euros.
  • The CDU claims to spend around 10 million euros on the election campaign - as much as in 2014. For the election campaign about 20 million euros were available. The funds of the CSU are not counted here.
  • According to political director Michael Kellner, the Greens spend about 50 percent more this year than they did for the 2014 European election campaign. "Our basic budget will be just over 2 million euros," he said. In addition, they would spend one million euros additional for staff and double the media budget. Nevertheless, for the 2017 general election, the Greens spent about 5.4 million euros.
  • The FDP had spent about 750,000 euros in 2014 - according to SPIEGEL information a budget of 2.5 million euros is estimated this year. For the election campaign, the Liberals had spent 5 million euros.

The Left, the CSU and the AfD did not comment on SPIEGEL's request at first.

This shows that the parties give the European elections a far less important role than a federal election.

Germans see the EU positively, but voter turnout is low

In the population, too, interest in elections has been declining for decades. Voter participation in the 2014 European elections was 42.6 percent across the Union. At the first European election in 1979, it was still just under 62 percent.

The figures in Germany are similar: In 1979, 65.7 percent of those entitled to vote went to the polls, compared with only 48.1 percent in 2014. This is in contrast to the satisfaction with Europe: Depending on the survey, 75 to 80 percent of the Germans state that they value EU membership positively.

Mobilizing the various parties to vote will be crucial to the outcome of the election. And whether the pro-European parties can hold a clear majority in parliament.

But this year too, interest has remained limited so far. Indications for this, for example, provide ratings: The first TV duel between Manfred Weber and Frans Timmermans on German television saw an average of 2.03 million viewers, which corresponded to a market share of 14.9 percent. For comparison: The duel Merkel-Schulz during the 2017 election campaign saw 16.11 million people - equivalent to a market share of 45.8 percent.

European Election Programs 2019

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social policy

"In our Europe we rely on the power of the social market economy". This sets the tone: Equality, equal opportunities, equal living conditions within the EU are the goal - but the way there is largely open. Member States remain "responsible for social security systems, minimum wage regulations or old-age provision". In reverse, this means: "We reject a common unemployment insurance." On the other hand, it is required to end "abusive transfer of children abroad".

climate Protection

The same applies to the climate protection goals. "Our goal is qualitative, resource-efficient growth," it says, "Reason and good judgment" are emphasized in the fight against climate change and the implementation of the UN goals. Concrete demands: "the global pricing of greenhouse gas emissions and their rapid implementation, if necessary at the G20 level first" - and a "Europe-wide strategy for the prevention of plastic" and "international agreements on plastic avoidance".

asylum policy

"Our Europe protects its citizens" - under this heading, it commits itself to the "legal and humanitarian obligations" of the EU and the objective of keeping the number of refugees "permanently low". This will work through European transit and regional reception centers in North Africa. The aim is a "uniform and fast asylum procedure with the possibility to apply for asylum within the EU", the principle of safe countries of origin with accelerated procedures should be applied throughout Europe. The border protection agency Frontex wants to expand to at least 10,000 civil servants, temporary internal border controls should continue to be possible. The various EU-wide data systems want to link better.

Foreign policy / defense

"Our Europe creates peace," says the program - which calls for, among other things, an "additional, joint permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council". The transatlantic partnership wants to "revitalize and intensify again", in areas of "common interests (...) we seek cooperation with Russia". In terms of defense policy, the EU should continue to build on NATO, while at the same time putting into practice "common European armed forces by 2030" and establishing a European reaction force. These include "joint arms projects and armaments procurement."

Business / Finance

"Competition serves the well-being of the people" - so-called European champions are to be sought, from which the entire EU could benefit. "Protectionism and foreclosure we give a clear rejection," it says, but the domestic agriculture is very well protected. Fiscal policy is the goal of a stability union, without "debt and risk to be communicated", the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact should be "strictly adhered to and enforced." The Banking Union and the European Stability Mechanism ESM should be further developed and a European Monetary Fund created. The tax avoidance of international corporations wants to end.

Digital policy

"We do not stop at the fact that among the largest digital companies is not a European company" - "Strategic promotion of future technologies" to "digital world leaders of the future" arise. 5G should come across Europe with uniform IT data standards, the revision of the General Data Protection Regulation make this "innovation-friendly, forward-looking and especially for SMEs, founders and volunteers more user-friendly".

social policy

The SPD wants to mobilize its supporters with comprehensive social promises. In the individual EU countries minimum wages of 60 percent of the average wage should be introduced, in Germany one wants to increase the lower wage limit to 12 euros. Basic social rights should become binding. The SPD demands minimum education allowances and equal wages for men and women. The social and occupational safety standards should be increased, violations of employment law should be punished as severely as competition violations.

climate Protection

Under the title "Protecting the Environment and Promoting Mobility", the goal is to formulate the "social compatibility of the necessary structural changes" for environmental protection. Thus, the SPD emphasizes on the issue of brown coal withdrawal, the party also has "a great responsibility" for the affected jobs. In order to fulfill the Paris Agreement, the SPD demands an increase of the European climate protection target to at least 45 per cent greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 (base year 1990). The European Emissions Trading Scheme should be continued - for sectors that are covered by it, one wants to introduce a CO2 price.

asylum policy

"Humanitarian and Solidarity" - under this heading, the SPD calls for a reform of the Dublin system that protects war refugees and secures asylum rights. Dublin should be replaced by a "solidary distribution key". There is a need to standardize and speed up asylum procedures, and to work more together on deportations and voluntary returns at European level. For legal immigration there should be more European rules and humanitarian visas. "Disembarkation platforms" in the North African transit countries rejects the SPD.

Foreign policy / defense

Under the title "Strengthening Europe's Peace Force", the SPD demands that Europe must make every effort to save the INF disarmament treaty - despite the dismissal of US President Donald Trump. The Office of the EU Foreign Affairs Commission is to be further developed and the principle of unanimity in foreign policy decisions should be abolished. For Europe, they want a common seat in the UN Security Council and a common army, which is controlled by Parliament.

Business / Finance

Among other things, the SPD wants to pay for its plans for a social Europe by setting minimum rates against the race for the lowest corporate taxes. The different corporate taxes are to be aligned, for corporations such as Google, Apple or Amazon, a digital tax will be introduced. In the fight against tax tricks, helpers such as banks and advisory agencies want to be followed more closely, including through the establishment of a special unit modeled after Great Britain.

Digital policy

"Digitalization for all": Technology is never an end in itself, according to the program, "but always an instrument for solving major societal challenges". The SPD wants to break up the data monopolies of Google, Amazon and Facebook. For this purpose, the corporations should be obliged to share their data and make it publicly available. It should be examined whether it is possible to build up European alternatives to the US market leaders. Other goals include fast Internet, nationwide mobile communications and better IT security.

social policy

The Greens call for Europe-wide "basic unemployment insurance", but make it clear that this is a medium-term project. First of all, they advocate a Europe-wide minimum wage adjusted to the cost of living. They also demand a binding maximum salary gap in a company. With a "citizen fund" they want to strengthen the private pension.

climate Protection

"If we fail to contain the crisis, we have failed as a political generation," the Greens write about climate change. Their goal: to make Europe the world leader in climate protection. They demand a CO2 tax, a climate pass for climate refugees and the withdrawal from nuclear and coal power. At the same time, they call for special support for regions affected by the carbon sinking.

asylum policy

The Dublin system has failed, the Greens write, calling for a fair distribution mechanism for refugees across the continent. They want to create legal escape routes via generous resettlement contingents and build up a European-financed maritime rescue system. But they also write: "Of course, the EU must control its external borders and collectively protect against terrorism, trafficking in people and drugs." They also call for Europe-wide voluntary return counseling.

Foreign policy / defense

"Instead of 17 non-functional systems, we should better create a functioning system," says the goal of a common security union. It also calls for a feminist foreign and security policy and the participation of women and minorities in peace processes. The Greens believe that the EU must be a "global political player". They demand a reform of the UN Security Council: In the long term, there should be an abolition of the veto obligation, in the short term, a justification obligation. India and the EU should, according to the Greens, get a seat on the Security Council.

Business / Finance

The Greens want to spark competition for the "most ecological way of production". In addition, they want to increase the European budget - from about one percent to 1.3 percent of GDP. In order to guarantee a gender-equitable distribution of funds, they call for "gender budgeting" to be used in the future. They want the EU to be able to levy taxes themselves, such as a minimum corporate tax and a higher minimum tax on alcohol. They also want to legalize cannabis.

Digital policy

"If the EU wants, it can civilize the digital world," the Greens write. The EU needs to establish appropriate rules for machinery liability, transparency and verifiability of algorithms and prohibit search engine or filter discrimination. In addition, the Greens call for bundling knowledge at newly founded European universities and thus multiplying the power of innovation. They call for a European investment plan for fiber-optic expansion and want the EU to promote free and open Wi-Fi networks. In addition, the EU should support small and medium-sized enterprises with digitization with support programs.

social policy

Labor market and social policy wants to leave the FDP "at the core" of the Member States. A transfer union is rejected, as is a European unemployment insurance. Only in the case of issues that are "in fact of significant cross-border importance" for the internal market or the free movement of people, the EU is called upon to make arrangements, it is said. The European Social Fund should be more "targeted" against causes of unemployment, unemployment insurance and minimum wages could only be achieved through national collective bargaining and labor market policies. Private old-age provision should be strengthened by a "cross-border" access to "all offers in the EU".

climate Protection

The Liberals want a "European climate policy from a single source with coordinated goals". They reaffirm the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement. One focus is seen in CO2 certificate trading. In the EU, the liberalization of the internal energy market should be completed and network expansion strengthened. Another focus of the FDP is the increased reforestation of forests in the EU. In the development of new propulsion technologies, it relies on "diversity" and a "fair competition for the technology of the future" for battery, gas, methanol and hydrogen.

asylum policy

The FDP wants a European asylum system (GEAS). "This includes the distribution of refugees" according to a binding Europe-wide distribution key "- except in those cases where there is" no stopping point. "Those who take in more refugees should receive" relief payments "from the EU budget. unequivocal and European ", including through the" No-Torture Agreement. "In the countries of origin of migration, the FDP wants to set up" humanitarian protection zones "and" hotspots "in which asylum procedures are already being implemented.

Foreign policy / defense

The FDP calls for a "true European Foreign Minister", the former High Representative of the EU should be responsible for all key areas, including neighborhood and development policy. In the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the FDP is in favor of majority decisions and also calls for a permanent "European seat" in the UN Security Council. In defense policy, the FDP relies on "building a European army under joint command and parliamentary control."

Business / Finance

Prosperity is only available to the FDP "through more free trade". The middle class remains the "backbone of the European economy" for the party. In a Europe investment plan, the European Investment Bank aims to mobilize "at least € 500 billion in additional investment commitments by 2020". A central keyword is the creation of an "Agency for Jump Innovation" that promotes "radical and disruptive" innovations. According to the US model, the agency "should also be coordinated and promoted by military means." In terms of fiscal policy, the FDP relies on a "solid policy on the euro", where all states should assume more responsibility and abide by the rules.

Digital policy

The FDP wants a "European Valley" for cross-border "special economic zones" for "digital spin-offs of companies, start-ups and spin-offs". A "Future Fund Europe" is to give venture capital to promising, young and innovative companies. In legal matters, the FDP is against a network enforcement law and upload filter, both leading to restrictions on freedom of expression and diversity in the network. The party aims for a "largely self-sufficient Europe with its own cloud providers and European privacy standards".

social policy

For the left, "neo-liberal politics" is enshrined in the EU treaties - it therefore wants a "restart". For social policy this means: minimum wages up, in Germany to 12 euros. In addition, the comrades want to introduce a Europe-wide minimum pension and a minimum income, which should amount to 1050 euros in this country. The lefts are also calling for radical steps on the subject of renting: expropriation, a sharp rent-free-rent and a strengthening of social housing.

climate Protection

With their European program, the left dare the attack on the Greens. The comrades are as comprehensive as never before concerned with climate policy: the way of life of humans must change radically. They call for the coalition exit by 2030, plead for car-free inner cities and for a free public transport. By 2040, energy will only come from renewable sources. Large energy companies want to expropriate.

asylum policy

Limiting immigration or yet "open border for all people"? The asylum dispute had plunged the Left into an identity crisis in recent years. Now the advocates of an unconditionally liberal immigration policy have prevailed. According to the program, the party is resisting the "false distinction" between political and economic refugees. The comrades are campaigning for legal escape routes, the European border protection agency Frontex want to dissolve them, to launch a rescue program. Deportations are rejected.

Foreign policy / defense

"We want a union of disarmament and demilitarization," says the program. Above all, the party advocates a ban on arms exports, rejecting foreign deployments by the Bundeswehr. Germany is to step out of NATO's "military structures", in the long run the comrades want to dissolve the alliance. Again and again the program is about Russia. Security in Europe can only mean security with Moscow. That is why the Left is calling for an end to EU sanctions against Russia.

Business / Finance

The left want to radically redistribute in order to keep their social and climate-political promises. They therefore demand Europe-wide minimum taxes for corporations, tax havens want to dry out, nationalize key industries. The financial sector should be completely turned around. That means smashing big banks and "commit to a business model based on the model of the savings banks and cooperative banks".

Digital policy

The Left is campaigning to "guarantee the triad of net neutrality, privacy and modern copyright." Public infrastructure should not be sold to tech companies. In addition, the party pleads for an "open, solidary and free Internet". Data retention is rejected by the comrades, people should not "become the object of state data surveillance".

social policy

It is hardly surprising that the AfD combines its "fair and just social policy" with the question of migration, the focus of the party. The "uncontrolled mass immigration of insufficiently qualified people to Germany, but also to other EU countries" must therefore be prevented. In addition, measures are called for "wage and social dumping" through EU internal migration. Thus, the "abuse of loan and work contracts" of foreign workers in Germany should be prohibited. The AfD opposes a European unemployment insurance and a European Employment Agency.

climate Protection

Here, the AfD has a unique selling point: it is doubtful that humans have been able to significantly influence or even control the "recent climate change, in particular the current warming". "Climate protection policy is therefore a wrong path," says the program. The AfD rejects the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as "all EU measures that justify the reduction of CO2 emissions with climate protection". The AfD also wants Germany to participate again in the "development of novel types of nuclear reactors".

asylum policy

EU elites and institutions are pursuing an "asylum and immigration policy that puts European civilization in existential danger," writes the AfD. The asylum and immigration policy wants to return them to the "competences of the member states" and reintroduce national border controls "permanently". Binding refugee quotas are rejected, which meant a "serious interference" in national sovereignty. Instead, the AfD wants "on-site protection centers" in migration countries and a "near-home care of real refugees". In Germany and the EU, a "remigration program of the largest scale" must be set up.

Foreign policy / defense

The AfD wants to strengthen the "European pillar" in NATO, therefore rejects the creation of a European army "strictly". It is also against the "precursor of a European army", the "Permanent Structured Cooperation" (Pesco) supported by the Federal Government and the use of EU Battle Groups and joint EU staff - as well as a European Defense Fund.

Business / Finance

From the point of view of the AfD, the EU should work for free trade and open markets. In the case of domestic problems in the context of free markets, there should be 'where appropriate' national compensatory measures. The further membership in the euro zone "in the current form" is not to be expected the "German taxpayer". The AfD wants to campaign for "the optional reintroduction of national currencies" - including the German mark - as a "correction" of the "catastrophic aberration of the euro". EU taxes are rejected as well as an EU Ministry of Finance.

Digital policy

The AfD criticizes the digitization strategies of the EU, because they "always include monitoring and censoring measures". Measures for informational self-determination and encryption technologies are supported, but "regulatory measures with a sense of proportion" would have to be carried out. At EU level, IT skills in research and development should be strengthened - for new, competitive "European hardware and software".