Swedish Pirate Party Gets A Second EU Parliament Seat
from the progress dept
When the election results first came in for the EU Parliament back in June, it initially looked like the Swedish Pirate Party would get two seats, though it was later downgraded to just one. However, it looks like they're back up to two due to a recent treaty agreement. This means that Amelia Andersdotter will be joining Christian Engstrom in the EU Parliament, representing the Pirate Party and the rights of consumers. I've seen Amelia speak in the past, and, like Christian, I think she does an excellent job explaining the position of the Pirate Party and the civil rights issues it represents.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: amelia andersdotter, christian engstrom, eu parliament, pirate party, sweden
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Effective Name?
On one hand, it helps them gain attention and notice.
On the other hand, it might lead to negative stereotyping.
I'm not quite sure what I think, but it is awesome that they are gaining voice in government!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Effective Name?
Yeah, I've said before that I don't like it. I understand why they use it, but I fear that it's quite limiting long term. However, we shall see.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gov "4 the ppl", by rich business ppl.
Well this could be a revolution. What an amazing accidental idea, that government should be for the people, and not for businesses.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Effective Name?
Does that consist solely of labourers and pregnant women?
Or the "Conservative party"? Do they want that everything stays the same.
Or the "Democratic party"? Do they imply that only they are following democratic principles, and do they even follow those principles?
A name is a name.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Aaaarrrrgggghhhh
In a way "good for them" - a political party that has the interests of the people at heart. Now that's original!
As long as there are no Somalians elected of course...
Of course the whole thing could be a load of Pugwash...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Pirate Party election was unanticipated
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Effective Name?
Yes, but... None of those other names leads one to automatically associate the party with what's generally considered to be illegal activity.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Oh, the irony.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Pirate Party election was unanticipated
It's a warped system that offers support to every warped group. If I remember correctly the last round across Europe also elected Nazi sympathizers, communists, and terrorists. Not exactly a proud system.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Effective Name?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Cynical
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Maybe the Consumer's Party (lord knows we need one) or something. Pirate party just gives me images of bad costumes, bad acting, and ninjas.
Oh! i claim the name Ninja Party!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Effective Name?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Cynical
Actually it takes a generation or so for new political parties to become corporate shills.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Pirate Party election was unanticipated
Besides wouldn't terrorists be easier to track and catch if they sent their leaders to sit in parliament?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Pirate Party election was unanticipated
For instance, if there were a gay/lesbian party, then everyone would say, "They are represented" and less people would feel sorry for them that they couldn't marry or didn't have certain rights. As it stands now, the entire democratic party (about 50% of the US) votes in favor of gay/lesbian issues.
I am almost certain minorities would do WORSE under that system and the majority (White straight Christians) would do better.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Pirate Party election was unanticipated
1) It makes minorities a real minority, making them think they are empowered and yet keeps them locked on the outside
2) Breaks everyone into little minorities, such that government doesn't function as well.
Most minorities spend their lives trying to be "treated like everyone else". This sort of thing just puts up walls.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The government was having trouble to pass laws so they told the people to vote for people the party literally took off from the streets and put them in office just to vote those issues.
You can call it. Disposable Politics. Get an issue you want resolved, put it to the people and put some faces on it, they will vote those things for ya and then retire.
I do like the idea of disposable politicians, it really puts a smile on my face.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Koizumi children
I knew there was a name for it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]