By Nenad Radicevic

The centre right group of the European People`s Party and the European Democrats (EPP-ED) will maintain its place as first biggest group in the European Parliament for the next five years, shows first projections after finishing of EU elections. Besides, the 2009 European elections were marked by the lowest ever turnout since direct elections for the EU Parliament started thirty years ago and by the entry of many small parties which would set the 736-seat assembly more fragmented.

By CEV Magazine team

Almost everything is allowed in struggle to attract attention of voters across Europe, shows election campaign for elections for the European Parliament. Expenses scandals, wigging and offending between competitors, selling rock and roll CDs in violation of copyright, support of jailed Venezuelan terrorist, promotion of light drugs` legalisation, testing the limits of free speech, using sex in promotion videos, vote-selling, shaming of laziest EU parliamentarians and priests` advices to voters are just some of "colourful details" which has characterised EU election campaign in all 27 member states.

By Nenad Radicevic

The European Socialists see the financial crisis as a product of the centre-right parties, which has governed a majority of EU countries as well as the EU institutions over the last five years. However, all prognoses show that Europe`s left has deeply failed to capitalise on economic crisis during EU elections campaign. Despite Europe`s right should be an easy target having in mind that economic crisis has exposed the excesses of unbridled capitalism and raised the mass unemployment, the European Socialists remain divided and even a little bit inactive.

By CEV Magazine team

An expensive promotional campaign with the increasing use of multimedia technology to raise consciousness on importance of the European Parliament still would not achieve to stimulate a significant percent of EU citizens to participate in EU elections. While some analysts have predicted a slight increase in turnout compared to the last election in 2004, others see it declining even further which would decrease the legitimacy of the European Parliament.

By Nenad Radicevic

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has very good chance to win a second term, despite he faces a huge amount of criticism for his handling of the current economic crisis. It seems that former Portuguese prime minister enjoys the support of a solid majority of Europe`s powerful group of centre-right leaders as well as some centre-left leaders for his reappointment, in spite of the fact that other names such as Dutch leader Jan-Peter Balkenende and former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt have also been mentioned as potential candidates for the job. Except appointment of a president of the Commission, EU member states and their leaders will have to accomplish another very important task - formation of a new college of commissioners.

By CEV Magazine team

Serbia`s Minister for Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic recently announced that Serbia`s economy "hit rock bottom in February", "gradually making its way out of the difficult economic situation". Despite he added this was confirmed by data on exports and industrial production, which improved in March, while unemployment also slowed, many analysts estimated his statement as exaggeratedly optimistic. "This does not mean the crisis is over, but it does mean that, from now on, we will be hearing better news", said Minister Dinkic, in the face of the fact that several days later official GDP readouts within the European Union showed Europe sank deeper into recession in the first quarter of this year.