No political fuel for Poland’s far-right [Poland and the European elections 2014]

Feature looks at the situation in Poland as regards the campaign for the elections to the European Parliament held in May 2014.

EurActiv reported on an increasing tension in the Polish electoral campaign due to the Ukrainian crisis, as issues of security and energy started to play an important role for the country's parties.

Thirty-eight of Poland’s 51 seats in the European Parliament went to the right side of the political spectrum after the EU election, equally split between pro-EU and Eurosceptic forces. Less than a quarter of voters participated in the European elections.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Law and Justice are likely to come out ahead in the European Parliament elections in Poland http://www.europeansources.info/record/law-and-justice-are-likely-to-come-out-ahead-in-the-european-parliament-elections-in-poland/

ESO: Background information: Polish minister learning French amid speculation on EU top jobs http://www.europeansources.info/record/polish-minister-learning-french-amid-speculation-on-eu-top-jobs/

ESO: Background information: European Parliament: Election, May 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-parliament-election-may-2014/

Wikipedia: European Parliament election, 2014 (Poland) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Parliament_election,_2014_%28Poland%29

EUObserver, 07.04.14: Poland's ruling party back in the lead after Ukraine crisis http://euobserver.com/eu-elections/123773

EurActiv, 14.04.14: Ukraine looms large in Polish electoral campaign http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/ukraine-looms-large-polish-electoral-campaign-301525

BBC News, 01.05.14: Contrasting fortunes: Portugal and Poland http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-eu-27234357

EUObserver, 05.05.14: Polish radicals could get into EU parliament http://euobserver.com/eu-elections/124011

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make It?, 19.02.14: Polish prospects in the May 2014 elections http://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/adam-j-chmielewski-micha%C5%82-szczurek/polish-prospects-in-may-2014-elections

EurActiv, 13.05.14: New parties - likely kingmakers in next European parliament http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/new-parties-likely-kingmakers-next-european-parliament-302093

Euronews, 19.05.14: Polish voters fret over Ukraine crisis ahead of EU election http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/19/polish-voters-fret-over-ukraine-crisis-ahead-of-eu-election/

EurActiv, 27.05.14: EU vote keeps Poland on the right http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/eu-vote-keeps-poland-right-302428

Euro|Topics, 12.05.14: Poland: Old Fear of Russia Revived http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/dossier_europawahl_2014/laendertext_polen/

Polskie Radio, 27.05.14: Euro elections 2014: final count gives Civic Platform narrow win http://www.thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/172027,Euro-elections-2014-final-count-gives-Civic-Platform-narrow-win

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