European Citizenship

The Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) — a new think tank associated with but independent from the Party of European Socialists (PES) — published an article with their

» Ten observations on the outcome of the 2009 European elections

They cover much ground — from the low turnout to the composition of the new parliament, from the losses of left-wing parties to the emergence of a stronger anti-EU far right — and while much of what the FEPS-team has to say may be disputable, it is certainly worthwhile a read.

To add some additional perspective, here is, first,

» Europe has voted | Overview of media reactions by euro|topics

and second, a few thoughts on the elections from the European blogosphere:

• Reflections by Stanley Crossick | Blogactiv
• What the European election results reveal | The Euros
• Two mainstream majorities | Grahnlaw
• Analysis by Conor Slowey | The European Citizen
• Julien Frisch turns EU-sceptic | Watching Europe
• Thoughts on the results | Jon Worth
• Ugly but interesting in Strasbourg | Financial Times Blog
• Eurosceptic triumphant | BBC Europe Blog
• What do the election results reflect? | Open Europe Blog
• Record abstentions | Charlemagne’s notebook
• Reflections on election week | A view from the outfield
• What did the low turnout change? | New Europe
• Improving voter turnout in the European Elections | Th!nk about it

Third, a link to a quick glance outlining the results, a link to a cool interactive flash illustration by the BBC on the seats in the new EP, as well as a link to

» The detailed election results

on a site maintained by TNS Opinion for the European Parliament.

And — last but not least — a graphic of the seat distribution, courtesy of euro|topics:

This post is filed under youth information and is tagged with democracy, elections, opinions, participation, results, youth reflections.