Euroscepticism

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Euroscepticism is a general term used to describe opposition and criticism of the European Union (EU), and the process of European integration. The sometimes derogatory term europhilia, is occasionally seen as an antonym.

Opposition to the European Union exists throughout the political spectrum; Adapting to political ideologies for various justifications and oppositions.

A Eurobarometer survey of EU citizens in 2009 showed that support for membership of the EU was lowest in Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Hungary.^[1]

History in the European Parliament

This section requires expansion.

1999-2004

A study analyzed voting records of the Fifth European Parliament and ranked groups, concluding:^[2] "Towards the top of the figure are the more pro-European parties (PES, EPP-ED, and ALDE), whereas towards the bottom of the figure are the more anti-European parties (EUL/NGL, G/EFA, UEN and EDD)".

2004-2009

In 2004, 37 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the UK, Poland, Denmark and Sweden founded a new European Parliament group called “Independence and Democracy” from the old Europe of Democracies and Diversities (EDD) group.

The main goals of the ID group were to reject the proposed Treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. Some delegations within the group, notably the United Kingdom Independence Party, also advocate the complete withdrawal of their country from the EU whilst others only wish to limit further European integration.

2009 elections

The elections in 2009 saw a significant drop in support for Eurosceptic parties, with all MEPs from Poland, Denmark and Sweden losing their seats. Although new members joined the ID group from Greece and the Netherlands, it remains unclear as to whether the ID group will reform in the new parliament. The ID group reformed as Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD) and is represented by 32 MEP's from 9 countries.

In Denmark

The Unity Party and Socialist People's Party (Greens) were against accession to the European Union, but only the Unity Party has withdrawal from the EU as a policy. The new right wing Danish People's Party also advocate withdrawal.

In Estonia

The Independence Party and Centre Party were against accession to the EU, but only the Independence Party still wants Estonia to withdraw from the European Union.

In Sweden

The Left Party of Sweden was against accession to the European Union and still want Sweden to leave the European Union.^[3]

Junilistan is a eurosceptic party which earlier was represented in the European parliament but lost all representation at the 2009 European Elections.

In the United Kingdom

In Britain, the Labour Party base is more eurosceptic than the party elite, which is something the Conservative leadership has sought to exploit.^[4]

Euroscepticism in the United Kingdom (UK) is a very controversial issue and has been a significant element in British politics since the inception of the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor to the EU.

The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) is the most prominent of all UK eurosceptic parties and fourth largest British political party^{[citation needed]} , receiving 16.5% of the vote at the 2009 European Parliament elections, putting them in second place ahead of the governing Labour Party.

See also

• Pro-Europeanism
• Euromyth
• Federal Europe

References