‘We need to show Europe works’

BEMOANING the “pathetically” low turnout in European Parliament elections, political leaders yesterday dismissed the impact of Euro-sceptics and said more had to be done to “sell” the EU to its own citizens.

In the massive, four-day democratic exercise, voters punished incumbents almost everywhere, with some, particularly in Britain, turning to fringe parties hostile to deeper European integration. Others didn't even bother to go to the polls.

"We need to show that Europe works," said Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.