EP elections 2014

[Tender Branson]

FPÖ-leader Strache backs Mölzer and accepts the apology of his comments.

http://orf.at/stories/2223467/2223480

Which unfortunately means Mölzer will remain as frontrunner and not step down.

But the way Strache is backing him is crazy: He said that he "doesn't like the comments about the Third Reich" and that Mölzer "often uses the word necrophile to point out the EU's regulation madness".

Apparently it's ok for Strache to say something stupid about the Third Reich/Holocaust, then apologize and the thing's history for the FPÖ ...

[Tender Branson]

As always, the problem with this kind of remarks in this kind of context from this kind of politician in this kind of election campaign, the worst part is that the comment will very probably a) go on completely unnoticed b) make those who notice it more, instead of less, willing to vote for him...

No, the problem with this kind of remarks is that they are absolutely moronic, ridiculous, and offensive. Sorry dude but seriously, there is no excuse to make.

Of course these kind of remarks are absolutely moronic, ridiculous, and offensive and there is no excuse to make.

But Mr. Bear is also right: The FPÖ will now try to sit out the negative news reports that will last a few days and then start their usual attacking again against the Hypo bank or the government in general and everything will be forgotten again.

Then when the FPÖ starts their main EU campaigning, they will likely send the "unused" co-frontrunner Vilimsky to the ORF TV-debates, so that Mölzer isn't attacked personally again about the comments.

This is, like Mr. Bear said, in fact not a bad strategy for the FPÖ electorally: With those moronic comments by one frontrunner they get the far-right fringe to the polls, while the other frontrunner plays down/defends the comments and appeals to the more "moderate" FPÖ voters.

[Zanas]

As always, the problem with this kind of remarks in this kind of context from this kind of politician in this kind of election campaign, the worst part is that the comment will very probably a) go on completely unnoticed b) make those who notice it more, instead of less, willing to vote for him...

No, the problem with this kind of remarks is that they are absolutely moronic, ridiculous, and offensive. Sorry dude but seriously, there is no excuse to make.

I agree with you. But the worst part is not that one man makes the comments, it's that millions are not at all bothered by it.

[palandio]

The translation of Neger is not n.

[Tender Branson]

Hans-Peter Martin won't run again:

http://derstandard.at/1395363176933/Martin-tritt-nicht-an

Martin got 18% in the 2009 elections.

[Tender Branson]

Signature update:

Europa Anders (Communists, Pirates, Wandel): 1600/2600 (60%+)

BZÖ: 1600/2600 (60%+)

SGA-Monarchisten ("Black Yellow Alliance - Monarchists"): 800/2600 (30%+)

...

Europa Anders and the BZÖ are averaging 800 signatures per week, with 3 weeks still to go.

The Monarchists are only averaging 400 per week, which is not enough ...

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Scottish poll:

http://news.stv.tv/politics/269244-snp-ahead-of-scottish-labour-in-european-election-voting-intention/

SNP 41% (+12)
Labour 29% (+8)
Tories 13% (-4)
Ukip 6% (+1)
Liberal Dems 5% (-7)

Which would probably give a result of three Nats, 2 Labourites and 1 Tory.

[joevsimp]

Ukip 6% (+1)
Liberal Dems 5% (-7)[/b]

Which would probably give a result of three Nats, 2 Labourites and 1 Tory.

Greens not included but the 7.3% that they got last time would get the last seat if the SNP don't quite make it to three

[MaxQue]

Ukip 6% (+1)
Liberal Dems 5% (-7)[/b]

Which would probably give a result of three Nats, 2 Labourites and 1 Tory.

Greens not included but the 7.3% that they got last time would get the last seat if the SNP don't quite make it to three

The Greens are at 4%, sorry.

[Cassius]

Scottish poll:

http://news.stv.tv/politics/269244-snp-ahead-of-scottish-labour-in-european-election-voting-intention/

SNP 41% (+12)
Labour 29% (+8)
Tories 13% (-4)
Ukip 6% (+1)
Liberal Dems 5% (-7)

Which would probably give a result of three Nats, 2 Labourites and 1 Tory.

Oof, the results aren't pretty for the Lib Dems.

And good luck to those Austrian monarchists

[Tender Branson]

We need to wait a week or two to find out if the "n/Third Reich" comment by the FPÖ's Mölzer has any impact in their polling numbers.

The Krone started reporting about it on 2 pages today, a newspaper that is read by every 2nd adult Austrian each day.

The FPÖ was polling 20-23% recently.

[Tender Branson]

After the ÖVP, the SPÖ is now out with their first poster campaign:



"Social values from Austria. For Europe."

[Filuwaúrdjan]

German speaking countries have the worst election posters in the world.

[Tender Branson]

Angelika Werthmann, already an MEP, announced today that she'll run as an "Independent candidate" on the 2nd slot of the BZÖ party list. She will not become a member of the BZÖ, she said.

Werthmann previously tried to run in the NEOS online primaries, but didn't get very far in that one.

Today, the BZÖ had a press conference with the frontrunner Ulrike Haider (right) and Angelika Werthmann (left):



Which means the BZÖ technically would not need to collect the 2600 signatures anymore, since Werthmann can enable their candidacy with her MEP-signature.

[Keystone Phil]

German speaking countries have the worst election posters in the world.

Yeah, what's that guy supposed to be doing in that picture? Getting ready to smack us?

[Lasitten]

I'm not sure what to think about this Left Alliance's new look :/

[Serenity Now]

I'm not sure what to think about this Left Alliance's new look :/

At first glance it looks like they're organizing a music festival or selling fruit smoothies..

[Tender Branson]

Angelika Werthmann, already an MEP, announced today that she'll run as an "Independent candidate" on the 2nd slot of the BZÖ party list. She will not become a member of the BZÖ, she said.

Guy Verhofstadt has sent an email to Werthman and asked her to leave the ALDE group in the EP today.

If she does not, he will call a special meeting next week and ask the party to expel her - because the candidacy for the right-wing BZÖ is not compatible with remaining in the liberal ALDE group and their ideals.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://derstandard.at/1395363386736/EU-Abgeordnete-Werthmann-kandidiert-fuer-BZOe

[Cranberry]

Through what list was she elected to the EP? Hans Peter Martin, or what?

[MaxQue]

Through what list was she elected to the EP? Hans Peter Martin, or what?

3rd of Martin's list.

[Tender Branson]

New Gallup poll today (sample = 400, conducted March 25-27):



Still too early to tell if FPÖ-Mölzer's controversial remarks had any impact. Many people are only now reading and hearing about it in the news. But likely it won't have much of an impact.

[Tender Branson]

New Ökonsult poll for the Bezirksblätter:



Below the poll there are 3 questions:

My personal opinion about the EU is ...

44.6% very/somewhat positive
55.4% very/somewhat critical

Projected voting likelyhood ...

49.1% I will definitely/likely vote
28.2% I will likely/definitely not vote
22.6% Still undecided if I should vote

I describe my voting behaviour like this ...

33.3% I see myself as a protest voter & will use my vote to show the government my middle finger
66.7% May 25 is about the "Project Europe". I want to bring myself in democratically with my vote

[Tender Branson]

Signature update:

SGA-Monarchisten ("Black Yellow Alliance - Monarchists"): 800/2600 (30%+)

The Monarchists are only averaging 400 per week, which is not enough ...

The Monarchists now have 1.300 signatures already.

They still need another 1.300 though until April 11.

Would be funny if a Monarchist party ran in the EP election ... Of course they don't have any money for a campaign, so they end up with 0.1% of the vote - but still

[Nhoj]

Signature update:

SGA-Monarchisten ("Black Yellow Alliance - Monarchists"): 800/2600 (30%+)

The Monarchists are only averaging 400 per week, which is not enough ...

The Monarchists now have 1.300 signatures already.

They still need another 1.300 though until April 11.

Would be funny if a Monarchist party ran in the EP election ... Of course they don't have any money for a campaign, so they end up with 0.1% of the vote - but still

Is there some Hapsburg around they are supporting?

[Tender Branson]

Signature update:

SGA-Monarchisten ("Black Yellow Alliance - Monarchists"): 800/2600 (30%+)

The Monarchists are only averaging 400 per week, which is not enough ...

The Monarchists now have 1.300 signatures already.

They still need another 1.300 though until April 11.

Would be funny if a Monarchist party ran in the EP election ... Of course they don't have any money for a campaign, so they end up with 0.1% of the vote - but still

Is there some Hapsburg around they are supporting?

They favour someone from the Habsburg family, but do not specify which one.

This is the current Habsburg family, on an older picture.



Karl Habsburg (now 53)
Francesa Habsburg (56)
Eleonore (19)
Ferdinand (17)
Gloria (14)

The Monarchists also want to legalize cannabis in Austria btw.