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2014 European Parliament Election Campaign in the Netherlands: Summary

Core Content

The 2014 European Parliament (EP) election campaign in the Netherlands was marked by a lack of clear focus on EU policies and a general unpopularity of the incumbent government. The traditional mainstream parties—VVD, PvdA, and CDA—supported EU membership but were cautious in their criticism of the current EU structure. Parties outside this mainstream, such as D66, SP, and PVV, took more definitive stances on European integration, with D66 advocating for a more democratic and integrated EU and PVV pushing for a complete withdrawal from the EU and the euro.

Main Parties and Their Positions

Traditional Mainstream Parties

• VVD (Liberal Party): Advocates for a pragmatic approach to European integration, focusing on economic benefits and the completion of the single market. They want the EU to avoid unnecessary regulations in areas like social security, education, and housing.
• PvdA (Social Democratic Party): Emphasizes social justice, job creation, and financial sector regulation. More critical of the free market than the VVD, but less concerned about EU regulations and sovereignty.
• CDA (Christian Democratic Party): Shares a similar stance with the VVD, supporting a focus on core issues and opposing excessive EU interference in domestic matters.

Non-Traditional Parties

• D66 (Democrats 66): Promotes a "full-grown, more democratic, transparent political union" and supports deeper European integration.
• SP (Socialist Party): Skeptical of the EU's economic model and free movement of labor. Calls for greater national autonomy in social and economic policies.
• PVV (Freedom Party): Strongly Eurosceptic, with a clear goal of leaving the EU and the euro. Claims that such a move would restore Dutch sovereignty and improve welfare.
• CU-SGP (Christian Union and Socialist Party-Green Left): Supports European cooperation but opposes political union and federalization.
• GreenLeft (GL): Generally pro-European but critical of how the economic crisis was managed, emphasizing that multinationals benefited more than citizens.
• PvdD (Party for the Animals): Opposes the EU's undemocratic nature and expansion, but focuses on environmental and animal rights.
• 50PLUS: Supports EU membership but wants a non-binding referendum on the current treaty and focuses on the interests of older voters.

Public Opinion on European Integration

• A majority of Dutch citizens support EU membership, as shown by Eurobarometer surveys.
• However, public sentiment is largely cautious and critical of the EU's current direction and effects.
• Only 21% of Dutch people want to leave the EU, while 47% of those who want to remain believe the EU's power should be reduced.
• Public interest in the EP elections remains low, with turnout historically below 40%, and an Ipsos survey indicating that most voters showed little or no interest in the 2014 campaign.

Key Trends and Observations

• The campaign is expected to reflect the "second order" nature of EP elections, where the incumbent government is likely to be punished due to unpopularity, while smaller opposition parties gain traction.
• The PVV, despite its limited role in local elections, attracted significant media attention due to Geert Wilders' controversial remarks, which backfired as some PVV politicians distanced themselves from his statements.
• The SP and PVV share similar views on labor migration, but the PVV is more radical in its call for EU withdrawal.
• Most parties focus on increasing democracy and transparency in the EU, but their proposals are often vague and lack innovation.
• Cross-party cooperation with other Eurosceptic groups, such as the French National Front and Austrian Freedom Party, is more pronounced among the PVV than other parties.

Conclusion

The 2014 EP election in the Netherlands is expected to follow the pattern of previous elections, with low turnout and a focus on the unpopularity of the incumbent government. While the traditional parties maintain a cautious pro-European stance, the non-traditional parties offer more distinct and radical visions of the EU's future. The campaign may not lead to a significant shift in the distribution of seats, but it could reinforce the "second order" nature of European elections, where political dynamics at the national level influence EU outcomes.