Voting for MEPs three years after having decided not to have any more, that's what happens on Thursday for part of the British. With the Netherlands, the United Kingdom is the first country to start voting for the European elections, three days before France. But in a context of high political instability, and while the Brexit dragged on, this election has a very special flavor.
A ballot that should never have taken place
In fact, it should never have happened. The date initially set for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, in accordance with the referendum held in 2016, was indeed that of 31 March. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Theresa May has failed to get her Parliament to adopt the two successive agreements she has won with her future-ex-partners. Brexit has therefore been rejected, and the United Kingdom is forced to hold elections after an expeditious electoral campaign.
The MEPs nominated by this election could therefore remain in place for only a few months. This does not fail to divert the voters, like James, met by Europe 1 in the suburbs of London. "I still do not understand, we stay or we leave?" He sighs. "No politician can tell us what's really going to happen, we wonder what's been going on for the last three years."
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This quirk will also have consequences for other European countries, especially France: the early departure of British MPs had freed seats for other nations (5 for France). So the poorest elected candidates from these countries will not be able to sit until the Brexit has been finally declared.
A tense political context
And this is not the only element that gives this election a special taste. The tense political context also contributes to an atmosphere that is not conducive to a calm vote. Tuesday, Theresa May has indeed played his last card by proposing the possibility of organizing a second referendum. A promise intended to rally a maximum number of deputies to its draft agreement, but which has not achieved its objective. On Wednesday evening, her Minister for Relations with Parliament, Andrea Leadsom, even resigned. "I no longer believe that our approach will honor the results of the referendum," wrote the latter in his letter of resignation.
From now on, the British press predicts a very quick resignation to the Prime Minister. The Times , quoting Theresa May's allies, writes Thursday that she will announce her departure on Friday. This chronic weakness of the political leader may well weigh heavily in the vote. Like Harry, another voter met by Europe 1, many Britons provide a sanction vote against the power in place. "I think people are fed up with the very bad way Theresa May runs the country," says the young man. "The English are calm people, but this time their anger will be expressed in the ballot box, we all want to be listened to and that's our way of protesting."
Towards a victory for Europhobic populists
While the chaos in which the United Kingdom is plunged since the vote of Brexit, as well as the attitude of the most fervent "Brexiters" after the referendum of 2016 (which had been content, for many of them, of to resign) might suggest that the British are tired of leaving, it is instead the populist parties that should pull the game on Thursday. Nigel Farage's "Brexit party", a former europhobe MEP who left politics after his side's victory in 2016 before making a smashing comeback a few weeks ago, is credited with 34% of voting intentions. That's more than Labor (21%) and Conservatives (11%) combined!
Heard on europe1:
The Brexit Party candidate could have been a monkey, I would have voted for him anyway.
This success can be explained precisely by the permanent disagreements in Parliament. "Whether it's the Labor Party or the Conservatives, they do not know what to do, they fight, argue, bicker, they're useless, they do nothing but stumble," Clive pleads in front of a desk. of vote. "The Brexit party candidate could have been a monkey, I would have voted for him," Bryan agrees. "We want to show the government how upset we are, it has let us down, we have voted for Brexit and we have no Brexit, three years for nothing."
For his part, Daniel has found comfort in his pro-European convictions. "I have always been pro-Europe, it has not changed," he insists. "I think polarization is more and more important between those who have never wanted to leave Europe and those who want to leave it more than ever, but whatever the result, it will give an idea of the mood of the population about it. "
A polarization that sometimes results in clashes between pro and anti-Brexit, like the one below, in which a law student takes a glass of water in the figure, launched by supporters of Nigel Farage.
I do not mind Right-wing thugs cheating their drinks on me.
I do not mind them poking me in the face with a flagpole.
I do not mind that Nigel Farage is set to WIN the European Elections on Thursday, by which anyone opposes a form of Brexit he said would never happen, "traitors". pic.twitter.com/1Dh3CWVnu4
The provisional results of the election in the United Kingdom will not be known until Sunday evening, so as not to influence the voters of the countries called to vote Friday, Saturday and Sunday.