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.
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Filed Under: amelia andersdotter, christian engstrom, eu parliament, pirate party, sweden


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  1. icon
    ChadBroChill (profile), 4 Nov 2009 @ 9:24pm

    Effective Name?

    What are your thoughts on the name of the Pirate Party?

    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 ]

  2. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 4 Nov 2009 @ 9:29pm

    Bork bork bork!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. icon
    Mike Masnick (profile), 4 Nov 2009 @ 10:18pm

    Re: Effective Name?

    What are your thoughts on the name of the Pirate Party?

    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 ]

  4. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 4 Nov 2009 @ 10:20pm

    Gov "4 the ppl", by rich business ppl.

    Could this actually mean a voice in the government for the people?

    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 ]

  5. icon
    Marcel de Jong (profile), 5 Nov 2009 @ 1:08am

    Re: Effective Name?

    What are your thoughts on the name "Labour party"?
    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 ]

  6. icon
    Poddys (profile), 5 Nov 2009 @ 1:19am

    Aaaarrrrgggghhhh

    Is that a groan, or a pirate cheer?

    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 ]

  7. icon
    jerome (profile), 5 Nov 2009 @ 1:59am

    Pirate Party election was unanticipated

    The name was a provocation intended to raise public attention and create a debate in Sweden. They did not expect to really get elected at EU level.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. icon
    Mike Masnick (profile), 5 Nov 2009 @ 2:07am

    Re: Re: Effective Name?

    A name is a 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 ]

  9. identicon
    anarkista, 5 Nov 2009 @ 2:12am

    It took a lot of corporation bullying the people for this to happen - a real voice for the people in government. I'm sure this is what the RIAA/BREIN/IFPI & Co. had in mind in the first place.

    Oh, the irony.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Nov 2009 @ 3:45am

    Re: Pirate Party election was unanticipated

    Sure they did. The EU election rules are proportional representation. They only needed 5% of the vote or something to get a seat. In a real election, that level of vote would make a party or individual an afterthough. But this system basically meant that if enough of the 18-25 group went out and voted pirate, they would get a seat or in this case seat(s).

    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 ]

  11. icon
    Marcel de Jong (profile), 5 Nov 2009 @ 4:52am

    Re: Re: Re: Effective Name?

    They probably should have called themselves the Privateer party. :)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Nov 2009 @ 5:01am

    Cynical

    How long before they sell out, how long before Big Business buys off the members of the Pirate Party? (I guess it just depends on how much those businesses decide it's worth to them: how threatened they feel by this.)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. icon
    senshikaze (profile), 5 Nov 2009 @ 5:20am

    Is it just me or do they need to change the name of the party?
    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 ]

  14. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Nov 2009 @ 5:55am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Effective Name?

    How many votes would they get with the name "Big Corp Bonus" ?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. icon
    Hephaestus (profile), 5 Nov 2009 @ 6:04am

    Re: Cynical

    "How long before they sell out"

    Actually it takes a generation or so for new political parties to become corporate shills.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. identicon
    TheStupidOne, 5 Nov 2009 @ 8:33am

    Re: Re: Pirate Party election was unanticipated

    so are you saying that minority opinions shouldn't be represented just because they are minority? I think America would be a much better place if we listened to minority opinions more often and even game them some power.

    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 ]

  17. identicon
    PRMan, 5 Nov 2009 @ 11:11am

    Re: Re: Re: Pirate Party election was unanticipated

    Ironically, I think if America had this system then many minorities would have less representation.

    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 ]

  18. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Nov 2009 @ 2:24pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Pirate Party election was unanticipated

    You are correct. Proportional representation does two things:

    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 ]

  19. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Nov 2009 @ 3:08pm

    Do what Japan did.

    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 ]

  20. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Nov 2009 @ 3:12pm

    Koizumi children

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koizumi_Children

    I knew there was a name for it.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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