While the parties could well have entertained issues in front of the Hungarian electorate pertinent to the EP – and about European integration in general – their discourse was rather axed on issues that included their opponents’ choice of candidates, gas prices, inflation or even abortion. In this, Hungary has managed to catch up with older EU countries with decades of experience, where internal political debates dominated the weeks before the elections.

Elections at half-time

The EP elections were a novelty from several perspectives. Never before had the population voted for members of the EP, and since the systemic changes, no government was exposed to an election campaign halfway through its term. The opposition tried to take advantage of this fact and was not shy to speak about a “No-confidence” against the ruling coalition.

Although the elections may be important, the role of the EP has little effect on everyday citizens

“The Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) is waiting for an answer from the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) as to whether the result of the EP elections will affect the prime minister’s leadership, and the structure of the government,” said Ibolya Dávid, president of MDF at a public forum. Viktor Orbán, president of the Alliance of Young Democrats (Fidesz), said the election is about the direction in which the country should continue the second half of its term.

“If there will be enough power given by the voters, the course of events could be changed even this year. In this case the government has to consider what the people want and govern accordingly, or it has to pass on the leadership of the country,” he emphasized. The opposition’s optimism was supported by polls, which indicated a growing advantage by the right wing in the weeks leading up to the poll. This, meanwhile, did not shake Prime Minister Péter Medgyessy’s confidence, nor effect the election results.

PM remains confident

“We are faced with an election once again, and we will win again,” he said confidently at a campaign meeting, alluding to his party’s 2002 parliamentary victory, as well as a string of local electoral victories. Moreover, the EU referendum, held in April 2003, can be considered a success for the governing coalition – despite the low turnout – as it ended with an overwhelming majority of “yes” votes, as urged by the coalition. Regarding voter turnout, elections within EU member states have always moved a notoriously small number of the electorate, as it did in the these most recent elections. Only 49.9 percent, on a EU level, of eligible voters cast ballots during the previous EP elections five years ago, while this year produced an even lower turnout, with 44 percent heading to the ballot box, causing a credibility gap for European democracy. In addition, a large proportion of Euro-skeptic forces gained representatives.

It is interesting that, despite low turnout rates, a larger number of Hungarians – 80 percent – feel EP elections are important and carry weight. Although the outcome of elections may be important in the future, the role of the EP has proved to have less of an effect on the everyday life of citizens, even though the scope of the Strasbourg-Brussels legislature was extended several times in the past few years. The EP has had say in very few issues: it can veto the budget of the EU, the appointment of the European Commission or the admission of new member states. In the majority of cases, regarding laws, member states only ask their MPs in Brussels for opinions, with the final word pronounced by the Council of Ministers, consisting of national politicians.

The roles of different chambers

There is a big difference in weight between the different parliamentary chambers - and citizens of the new member states will soon learn this. It is a warning sign that the EP has such little weight it is rarely mentioned in Western European media or in public opinion. (The last time it featured in the headlines was when the EP forced the entire European Commission, accused of mismanagement, to resign in 1999.) Strengthening the EP’s role would also strengthen the democratic character of the EU, since this is the only European institution where members are elected directly by citizens.

But this is also why member state governments are reluctant to give the organization more power. Meanwhile, international news regarding the EP does not increase its popularity. One of the evergreen subjects is the system of allowances for MPs, which was fully extended to legislators of new member states May 1st. For starters, there is the daily fee of EUR 262 that can be claimed by signing the attendance register in either Strasbourg or Brussels. There is also a sum of EUR 12,576 per month for secretaries or assistants, while many MPs end up employing their own family members or friends as “assistants.” The question of travel allowances is also rather unclear: a politician may receive pay for the most expensive air fare on economy class – with a simple boarding card – even if the MP traveled on a low cost airline.

Money to burn

Concerning expenses, several hundred million euro per year is used to cover MPs’ commute between Brussels and Strasbourg. The official headquarters of the parliament is in Strasbourg, which is where monthly plenary sessions are held. During the rest of the month, committee and political meetings are held in Brussels. (Furthermore, the general secretariat of the parliament is based in Luxembourg.) EP members have protested the tiresome and expensive commute for a long time, but France immediately vetoes any attempts at change. The Hungarian elections cannot be characterized as an economical game either: 7 percent of the total budget – HUF 300 million – will be spent on the 2,415 voters set to vote at 71 Hungarian embassies abroad. In Cuba, Mongolia and Nigeria, one Hungarian per country expressed a wish to vote for in the EP elections, therefore, a four-member vote counting committee will travel to these countries to oversee the one-person electorate. With one single voter at stake, the secrecy of the vote could even be called into question. In November 2003, during the amendment of the law requiring twothirds plurality, Fidesz prevented the suggestion that employees of the embassies would form such committees, not having confidence in their neutrality. The conservative party also opposed voting by mail or electronic mail, because both could be manipulated. The junior- coalition, Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ), meanwhile, signaled they would not be sending delegates to the vote counting committees.

Twenty-four elected Hungarian parliamentary representatives are heading to Brussels

“The Hungarian liberal party does not take part in wasting the tax payers money,” said Gábor Horn, campaign head of the party. As Ildikó Lendvai, leader of the MSZP faction put it: “We have to pay the price of Hungarian distrust.”

EP Election Results

Turnout at the last European elections (percentage, 1999)

Seats in the European Parliament