Voter turnout for the European elections in May was a record low.
Participation was 42.54%, the lowest it has ever been, according to figures just released.
An earlier estimate of nearly 43.1% has caused senior EU figures to proclaim participation as “historic”. They had hoped that that figure represented “an endorsement of the European project”, according to the former PM of Belgium.
Turnout has declined steadily from 62% in 1979 to 43% in 2009.
A spokesperson for the European Parliament said the figure of 42.54% is the final figure and includes all member states.
Critics of the EU say that the Parliament’s powers have increased over the years, while voter participation has decreased.
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