Your voice in Europe, your vote on May 25th

[Janet]

EU citizens have the right to vote in their European country of residence. If you are a European citizen you have the right (and many would say duty) to vote in the upcoming European elections which are taking place on May 25th, 2014 in Spain. But if you're not registered, your voice won't be heard.

You might think that what happens in Brussels or Strasbourg is too far away to affect us here in the Canary Islands, but nothing could be further from the truth. Increasingly, what happens at European level has a direct impact on our daily lives, particularly given the Canary Island's status as an 'ultra-peripheral region' and every vote counts.

The closing date for inclusion on the electoral register is 30 January.

Who can vote?
Citizens from the following countries, resident here in Tenerife, are eligible to vote: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the Czech Republic, Romania and Sweden.

However, to make sure you can exercise your vote you must be registered on the electoral census and the residents register – the 'Padrón'– and have indicated your wish to vote in Spain in these European elections – this is to ensure that you don't vote in more than one country. (Elections are taking place over a number of days, so theoretically it would be possible). The Electoral Census office have sent letters to many European citizens who have not already signed on the electoral census. If you have received such a letter all you have to do is sign it and return it to the indicated address.

However, if you haven't received any communication but would like to vote, call into your local Town Hall and say you wish to register on the electoral census for the right to vote. You must be on the municipal residents register (Padrón) to do so. If you are not on the Padrón you can do this at the same time. You will need to bring your passport and your resident's certificate ensuring that your address is up to date. There will also be a short period of time, still to be determined, after the closing date, when you can check that your details have been properly registered.

As times are changing, so are we. Since the last European elections, the rules of the game have changed. The European Parliament now has more power, both to set the political direction of Europe and over the day-to-day decisions which affect us all. A more powerful European Parliament means more influence for everyone, more ability to deal with our problems, more ability to change what needs changing, more assertiveness to conserve what we want to keep. Your vote really counts, so make sure you have it, and use it. JA

[El Profesor]

Do us a favour love  . . . and use your influencial  network to stress that being registered will also allow you to vote in the local council elections.
I am thinking particularly of Arona where I may well be participating next time. There are enough foreigners to make a massive difference in the twisted voting system they use here.
It is also worth pointing out that in Arona you don't even have to go to the town hall, this can be done at the culture centre (side exit) in Los Cristianos.
If we can get enough residents registered we can change things considerably.

[Janet]

 

you betcha!! 

I won't reopen the post today, but I'll have an update shortly explaining the system for those who've only been here 15 years and haven't had a chance to become familiar with it yet ...

At that point, I'll headline it with WANNA FUCK UP ARONA??

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

We received our registration forms in the post and registered online. 

How do I find out who is running and who I should vote for?  Since I know none of them I am taking recommendations if offered.

I am also interested in voting in local elections so look forward to Janet's post on that.

[Guanche]

I suspect that only a hand full of people in the Canaries know they have an MEP let alone who they are or what they do. The Brussels mafia is a subject close to my heart. Save to say I will be voting for any Euroskeptic MEP or party. Not that I wish to leave the EU, and that goes for the UK as well, but to give the EU a poke in the eye and send it a message that not everyone wants to be in the United States of Europe. So it should wind its neck in a bit!
I have no wish to be governed by second rate and failed politicions and unelected Commissioners sitting in a foreign country. I have no wish to be ruled by 751 MEPS of which only 73 are supposed to represent British interests. In short I have no problem for what I voted for all those years ago but a massive problem with what we have now.

This post has been brought to you by the right honorable member for Arafo

Just had a quick look and it seems to be a member of the PP Gabriel Mato Adrover. I had to laugh it would seem that last year he was part of a committee over seeing Corruption organized Crime and money laundering! A Spanish PP member doing that who would believe it

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

So do I vote for Gabriel Mato Adrover or not?

[Guanche]

Well here's a problem. It would appear that there is no Euroskeptic party or even movement in Spain! There is nothing like UKIP or the French 'National Front' or even the Dutch one who's name escapes me. Now this is in stark contrast to Wiki which states that Spain is the 3rd most Euroskeptic country behind the UK and Greece? I would add that there is a small movement in the Catalan country
This brings me to another problem with the EU. There is so much crap and missinformation out there it's almost impossible to form an opinion based on fact. A problem I have come across a number of times.

So what to do, vote for someone that I don't want to. spoil the vote (This may be a problem as I may be the only vote cast in the village) or stay at home and not vote which goes against the grain. Whats a girl to do??

On a side note, I held a poll this morning round the coffee table in Santa Cruz. There were 9 people all over 55 years old. I asked the question "Do you know who your MEP is"? After the usual " What's the English talking about"? I got the following.
No one knew who it was. No one cared who it was. Three didn't know what an MEP was. No one knew about the forthcoming elections. No one cared about the forthcoming elections. No one was going to vote in the forthcoming elections. The only thing they did all agree with that its just another corrupt politicion but since its Brussels its nothing to do with them. Now it would be easy to dismiss them as 'thick' but their not their just average people.

[Janet]

[Perikles]

Three didn't know what an MEP was.

Too much Franco during their youth methinks.

I think we have to distinguish between Spanish and Canarian. The Spanish are probably a century ahead of the Canarians. Like comparing Britain to, say, The Outer Hebrides. Or Wales

[Michael]

Erm, I have a small confession to make ....................