European Elections -Expat Candidate

For once, we do have a chance to change things. Those of us who have asked to vote in the European elections will, one hopes, probably show up on the Day (June 7th). We can support the 'usual suspects' (the PP and the PSOE) who have both shown their lack of interest in the Northern European residents of Spain - the 'illegal homes, 'illegal urbanisations' and corrupt local politicians in the PSOE controlled Andalucía (Remember the Priors?), and the 'Land Grab' and other indignities in the PP controlled Valencian Community. One should remember that these two parties stood together (for once) in Brussels against the Auken Report (which voted to threaten to withold European funding from Spain until its 'urban abuse and endemic property corruption' was addressed) .

However, there's an alternative. Europe's third largest group is the Liberal Democrats. Their party in Spain, while small and new, is led by an Expat from Madrid. Sean O'Curneen has an Irish father and a Spanish mother.  He has worked in England and France and now works in Brussels as the Secretary General of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the EU Committee of the Regions.

Number 4 on the list for the party, the CDL (Centro Democrático Liberal) is Jacqueline Cotterill, a British long term resident of Spain who is the deputy mayor of Parcent (Alicante) and member of the AUN - instigators of the Auken Report.

Vote CDL     

Just had a load of propaganda from the Usual Suspects today. The PSOE actually went to the trouble of translating it all into English, as well, which impressed me, but not enough to win my vote neccesarily.

It's a shame the CDL can't find a way to directly canvass the ex-pat population, as they could be able to persuade a lot of apathetics (like me) to actually bother voting at all. Or maybe you're working for them by posting on here and similar forums? If so, good idea!

More about Sean O'Curneen here: www.sean2009.es/

I'm both a writer/journo and a long-time resident in Spain. I have also worked in local politics, both locally in Mojácar and with Ciudadanos Europeos and the AUN (viz. the Auken Report). So I was very interested to find Sean O'Curneen - an 'extranjero' - as head-of-list on a party (and, better still, a sensible party at that!).

So, it's a modest campaign but there is the chance (for once) to consider the issues which interest the foreign residents living in Spain.  There is a 'round-table' meeting in Mojácar this Saturday 30th May (Hotel Best, from 11.00am) to discuss the Auken Report with various grass-roots associations, the Greens and a couple of politicians - Sean will also be there. Should be interesting!

I'll write it up afterwards on www.theentertaineronline.com

On the subject of the European elections, can anyone advise if it is legal in Spain for the ruling party to use the Town Hall email service to promote the current party in power? 

I keep getting emails from the town hall telling me to vote for the PP and I really object to them using my money in this way.

No they can't. You could always resend one on to the local PSOE or Bloc.

There should also be no advertising within 50 metres of the polling station on Sunday, although party officials can wear their badges as they float around glaring at each other.

Thanks Lenox - will do that!

Thanks Lenox - will do that!

does any one have contact numbers for jaqui cotterill and sean o'curneed.

we are stuck in a trap with a crooked spanish developer and a crooked bank (cam bank) who have stolen several million onf clinets deposits.

i was in spain last week and both these individuals indicated in costa lameria news that they are taking up fight against the corrupt spanish system. i would like to call them

thanks in advance