Version imprimableThe rate of participation was higher than in 1999 (39.1% as against 29.9%) but much lower than the norm for elections to the Dutch parliament (79.0% in 2002 and 79.9% in 2003).
The “Transparent Europe” list led by a former European civil servant, Paul Van Buiten, which denounced corruption in the European institutions, made a breakthrough and won two seats with 7.3% of the vote. In contrast to the reactionary list of Pim Fortuyn in 2002, this was not a right wing list and the two deputies elected had announced that they wish to join the European Green group.
The other notable event was the success of the Socialist Party, a radical left organization which has been making progress at every election in recent years. With 7% of the vote they elected two deputies who will join the GUE/NLG group in the European parliament.
The Green Left, squeezed between these two phenomena, fell back (7.4% as against 11.8% in 1999) and lost two of its four European deputies.
