Low European elections turnout indicates trend, says church official

Published: 2004-06-22

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- The record low turnout in recent European Parliament elections indicated a "trend toward lower participation in public life," said a spokesman for a European church commission. John Coughlan, spokesman for the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community, known as COMECE, said turnout symbolized "a growing privatization of expressions of faith, whether political or religious." Coughlan noted that the European bishops had urged citizens to participate in the elections. "Although people heard what the bishops said, they didn't understand the impact their vote could have. It's deeply disappointing that the current political climate has produced such resignation," he said. European Parliament elections were held June 10-13. About 44 percent of those eligible voted, with participation lowest in the eight newest, post-communist member-countries that joined the European Union May 1.

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