Record low turnout mars EU elections

Record low turnout mars EU elections. Turnout across Europe for the parliamentary elections fell to a record low as slightly over 40 percent of all eligible voters cast their ballots.

An EU estimate shows that only 43% of 375 million eligible voters exercised their democratic right, down from the previous low of 45.5% in 2004.

Analysts mainly attribute the record low turnout to wide spread voter indifference across the European Union, as well as growing public dissatisfaction with mainstream parties and skepticism towards EU institutions.

"I think the low turnout shows a lack of confidence by too many voters in Europe and that we have not found the right responses for our citizens," Francis Wurtz President of the European United Left told,.

The outcome of the election, meanwhile, shows no significant shift in the composition of the general assembly, as the center-right European People's Party won 267 seats in the 736-seat parliament.

The Socialists -- Europe's second largest political party -- came second, grabbing 159 seats, while the Liberals came third followed by the Green Party.

The results spared leaders of most big EU national governments from embarrassing defeats. However, exit polls show significantly weakened support for the ruling parties in Britain, Ireland, Latvia, Greece, Hungary, Bulgaria and Spain.

The victory of center-right forces is likely to help Jose Manuel Barroso, a conservative, win a new term as president of the EU's executive European Commission -- a post that requires the parliament's approval.