That was meant to be part of the second point, I take.
A further issue that should be interesting: what are the different national rules on getting on the ballot? *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
DoDo:
smallest sub-national district in Belgium: the German-speaking region sends 1 MEP (the two main ones 13 and 8); smallest sub-national district in Poland: ? In 2004, Bydgoszcz sent just 1 MEP (the largest districts sent 8).
A further issue that should be interesting: what are the different national rules on getting on the ballot?
Here is the overview:
HOW THE EUROPEAN UNION WORKS
D. Right to stand for electionApart from the requirement of nationality of an EU Member State, which is common to all the Member States, conditions vary from one to another.1. Minimum age18 in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Portugal and most new Member States, 19 in Austria, 21 in Belgium, Greece, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom, 23 in France and 25 in Italy.2. ResidenceIn Luxembourg, since the new electoral law of 18 February 2003, at least five years' residence is required (previously ten years) to enable a Community national to stand for election to the European Parliament. Moreover, a list may not comprise a majority of candidates who do not have Luxembourgish nationality.E. NominationsIn some Member States (Denmark, Germany, Greece, Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden and the Czech Republic) only political parties and political organisations may submit nominations. In the other countries nominations may be submitted if they are endorsed by the required number of signatures or electors, and in some cases (Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) a deposit is also required. In Ireland and Italy candidates may nominate themselves if they are endorsed by the required number of signatures.
D. Right to stand for election
Apart from the requirement of nationality of an EU Member State, which is common to all the Member States, conditions vary from one to another.
1. Minimum age
18 in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Portugal and most new Member States, 19 in Austria, 21 in Belgium, Greece, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom, 23 in France and 25 in Italy.
2. Residence
In Luxembourg, since the new electoral law of 18 February 2003, at least five years' residence is required (previously ten years) to enable a Community national to stand for election to the European Parliament. Moreover, a list may not comprise a majority of candidates who do not have Luxembourgish nationality.
E. Nominations
In some Member States (Denmark, Germany, Greece, Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden and the Czech Republic) only political parties and political organisations may submit nominations. In the other countries nominations may be submitted if they are endorsed by the required number of signatures or electors, and in some cases (Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) a deposit is also required. In Ireland and Italy candidates may nominate themselves if they are endorsed by the required number of signatures.
And I believe the Newropeans has done some research on the topic? A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
