Hannes SWOBODA (S&D, AT) reacts to the European Elections 2014.

Brussels

statement

European election

2014 European elections (T)

election night 2014 (T)

SWOBODA, Hannes (S&D, AT)

European Elections 2014: statements by Hannes SWOBODA (S&D, AT)

SOUNDBITE (English), Hannes SWOBODA (S&amp;D, AT), "We could claim the presidency, but of course this has also to be done in discussions with the EPP for a solution. It is also about the President of the Council, the High Representative, so it is not only about the Commission President. But again, coalition is a fixed programme of cooperation for years and that is what we don't have and that we don't want to have. We will have to have the liberty to talk also with other political groups to bring them in, therefore I am rejecting any idea of a fixed grand coalition."

SOUNDBITE (English), Hannes SWOBODA (S&amp;D, AT), "You have to look at the concrete figures. For example in Austria there is a rise of the extreme right because of some other guy who collected a lot of votes in the past is no longer running to be the candidate. If you look overall at the situation there is not everywhere a rise, it is very different in different countries. I don't want to deny that in some countries it is a shock, extreme right but also Cinque Stelle will be a shock even if it's not an extreme right party, but extremely populist and destructive. We have to fight the destructive forces in Europe, if we don't learn from these elections, the next elections will be even worse. Therefore it is clear to have on the one hand a clear majority for the pro-European parties and on the other hand a challenge for the destructive forces in order to reorientate European politics."