International

In the election for the European Parliament, the SP won more votes than either of the other two parties on the left of the political spectrum, rising from 7.1% in 2009, the last time voters were asked to elect their MEPs, to 9.6%. Due to a pre-electoral agreement between the two centre-left parties, the Green Left and the PvdA (Labour Party), Labour will retain three seats under a system which allows votes to be transferred between parties if voters are informed of this possibility in advance. The SP held its two seats.

SP leader Emile Roemer congratulates Dennis de Jong, who headed the party’s list

SP leader Emile Roemer said that he was ‘pleased with the strong gains we recorded, and the support we received around the country. That we are the biggest party on the left is really good news. Unfortunately our gains didn’t translate into an extra seat.’

‘This is the best result that the SP has ever had in a European election,’ added Dennis de Jong, who headed the SP’s list of candidates. Many people have said no to this EU, and we will carry on fighting for this in Europe.’