Author Topic: European Elections? (Read 280 times)

Vudak · « **on:** November 05, 2004, 08:18:34 AM »

Well the elections in America are over... But I'm curious... How do you all do it across the pond?

I'm particularily interested in how the British election process goes, though if anyone'd like to fill me in on a different country's process, I'd love to learn.

Specifically, what's your representation "look" like (do you have a house, senate, like us, or something different), how are these people elected, are there any who aren't elected, and when are your next elections?

As of now I am completely ignorant.

Thanks,

straffo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2004, 08:28:19 AM »

Well I guess we have 25 different systems

In France it's usually without electoral college (no representatives) except for the senate.

I'll try to make a short description later.

beet1e · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2004, 08:29:08 AM »

Vudak, each European country has its own government and does it differently.

The British way is being discussed here.

straffo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2004, 08:30:54 AM »

I'm lazy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_France

Will still anyway resume it

Saintaw · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2004, 08:48:49 AM »

We (In Belgium) vote for useless pple here too, the only thing is: we don't have a choice... voting is mandatory.

You vote for the Federal Government. (Country's main gov)
The Region (Brussels, Flanders, Waloonia & Germano-whatever)
The provinces(Brabant, Liege, Hainaut, etc...)
Then, you have the local elections (Towns).
Then, you have to vote for the European Parliament

All these are of course, held at different dates and for a different period of time.

JimBear · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2004, 09:25:54 AM »

Do you really mean mandatory? As in if you do not vote you are breaking a law?

Chortle · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2004, 09:26:31 AM »

In the UK us commoners vote for a local candidate who is a member of a Political Party (Rep or Dem equivalents, although those definitions are becomingly increasingly blurred) who get elected to the House of Commons.

Whover is leader of the party who has the majority in the Commons becomes Prime Minister, selects his cabinet etc. We dont vote for an individual leader, more a party who we feel will represent us.

We also have the House of Lords, AKA the Upper House, who are not elected and are generally there by virtue of their birthright (i.e. someone whos great great great etc grandparents achieved/bought a lordship title back in the 15th century)

For a bill to be passed it has to pass both houses. Before Blair, I thought the House of Lords was obselete but since I've realised they play an important part as they are generally conservative but are not influenced by petty day to day crap. Ironic that a Labour govt should demonstrate the importance of hereditary peers.

We also elect Euro Union representatives, but to be quite ****ing honest, I've no idea how that works.

Vudak · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2004, 09:34:10 AM »

Thank you Chortle, I was always wondering about that House of Lords thing.

Now how does a vote of confidence work?

Forgive me for the pestering.

Nilsen · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2004, 10:01:57 AM »

Our next election is next autumn and the turnout is usually around 80% and the biggest party atm is Labour. Our current goverment is oriented somewhere between the "middle" and right, but its guaranteed that this will change at the next election.

Website here that you can find out most of what people usually wants to know about Norway

http://www.norway.no/

Naso · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2004, 10:03:32 AM »

I am not a bit less lòazy than Straffo, so, here is my link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Italy

Chortle · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2004, 10:04:28 AM »

Your welcome mate. No pestering whatsover.

Theres all sorts of minute stuff that I've glossed over, and dont really know, but generally, a vote of no confidence can be insigated by almost anyone in parliament but obviously needs some credibility for it to progress. The Conservatives (Reps in US) are the past masters at getting rid of leaders, even Churchill in the early '40s had to ride one out as we had yet to win a major battle and some were questioning his direction.

As an example, Blair is currently subject to impeachment
over his handling of Iraq but as their isn't much support it will get filled away.

Saintaw · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2004, 10:05:44 AM »

Yes JimBear, it can go up to a 500€ fine if you don't...

beet1e · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2004, 10:17:31 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Vudak
Now how does a vote of confidence work?

I can tell you about how a vote of no confidence works. It was by such a vote that Thatcher became PM in 1979.

In 1977, Thatcher had the governing Labour party on the ropes and almost secured a vote of no confidence. But Labour turned to the third party, at that time known as the Liberal Party, led by arch sycophant David Steel, who agreed to vote with the government, thereby averting a crisis of confidence. The "LibLab Pact" was born! It was a bitter blow to Thatcher (and to me) because Labour was able to stagger on for about another 18 months. Then came the Winter of Discontent - a time when everything was going wrong for Labour. Thatcher's Conservative party challenged the government in a vote of no confidence, which was carried - by 1 vote! Having lost this, the Labour PM Jim Callaghan had no option but to dissolve parliament and call a General Election. He lost, Thatcher won. Oh what a golden day that was...

Furball · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2004, 11:03:00 AM »

Vudak, check this out. Every wednesday the opposing parties get to ask Tony Blair questions about current issues. Basically put him under the spotlight and try to make him look bad. Tony Blair is very very good at it. Its almost comedy the way the parties heckle eachother, can you imagine bush going through one of these?

http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page306.asp

cpxxx · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2004, 12:33:11 PM »

Furball, I seem to remember some American TV stations aired Prime Minister's question time during the Thatcher era as a form of entertainment. Probably still do.

As I said on the other thread the British one man one vote system alway ensures Britain gets the government most people didn't vote for, thus ensuring it's unpopular from the off.

Here in Ireland we have a highly complicated proportional representation system. Which usually ensures a coalition. We have the biggest Fianna Fail (who I hate) 'The Republican party' but not in the American sense. They have a coalition with the Progressive Democrats which despite the name are right wing and low tax.

The main opposition are also right wing, Fine Gael. The left consist of Labour who are unelectable and Sinn Fein, the 'real' Republican party' and the only party with it's own private army. They all fight each other in the lower house, the Dail. There is a Senate but that is appointed by the government and voted in by the Universities? Odd though all that sounds it seems to work. Unemployment is 4.4% and we have some of the lowest direct income taxes in the world. But the cost of living is high.