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The Public Have Spoken - By John Bufton MEP

If local elections are like litmus for the mid term popularity of a government then the Presidential and General Elections in France and Greece have been clear indicators of the growing unpopularity of the European Union.

The picture emerging from recent elections on the continent is one of ballot box rebellion - nowhere more so than in Greece.

Unsurprisingly the two traditional ruling parties that have governed the country for four decades have been effectively ousted. Lost votes have been scattered among smaller and more controversial parties who while politically disparate, share the central maxim of revoking the bail out and austerity culture enforced by Brussels that has left Greece battered by policies written primarily to preserve the Euro rather than seek the best solution for the Greek people.

It is fascinating how a single currency designed to unite the economies and sentiments of different member states is creating a deeper sense of sympatico in collapse than was ever observed throughout its success.

The southern states of Spain, Italy and Greece have celebrated the election of new French Premier Francois Hollande who is determined to undo the ‘Merkozy’ austerity pact that has proven to be unpopular not only in France but across the Eurozone, while his appointment has certainly cast serious doubt in Germany.  For those common currency countries teetering on the brink of collapse where Franco-German dominion of economic policy has been allowed to progress at cross purposes to democratic wishes, a change of direction is being called for. While Angela Merkel has made it clear that rewriting the austerity pact is not an option, as the pivotal policy that brought Francois Hollande to power it would seem unthinkable that the incumbent President would abandon his promise to see through a new growth inspired approach of fiscal stimulus, despite critics and markets alike reacting with trepidation.

Meanwhile in Greece the stock market has plunged as a result of post election chaos that has seen no one party emerge victorious while the rhetoric of politically inexperienced smaller parties has raised uncertainty as to whether Greece will remain in the Eurozone, with serious risk of contagion in the aftermath of any sudden departure.

The question now left unanswered is how undemocratic the European Union are willing to act in the wake of elections that have thrown up apparent opposition to ongoing measures to save the Euro. The people have spoken – but will they be heard?