Independence/Democracy
{{Short description|Former Eurosceptic political group of the European Parliament}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox European Parliament group
| name = Independence/Democracy
| title = Independence/Democracy
| image = Independence Democracy logo.svg
| imagewidth = 130px
|englishabbr = IND/DEM{{cite web|url=http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/uploads/documents/EU%20Division/reports/38336%20dfa%20eu%20ar%20inside.pdf |title=Fourth Annual Report on Developments in the European Union in 2006, DFA, 2007 |access-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716153808/http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/uploads/documents/EU%20Division/reports/38336%20dfa%20eu%20ar%20inside.pdf |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}
| frenchabbr = IND/DEM
| formalname = Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament
| precededby = Europe of Democracies and Diversities
| succeededby = Europe of Freedom and Democracy
| europarties = EUDemocrats
| ideology = Euroscepticism
| position = Right-wing{{refn|{{cite journal |last1=Manners |first1=Ian |title=Denmark and the European Union |journal=EU Som et Politisk System - Uviklinger og Udfordringer |date=2011 |volume=8}}{{cite web |title=Brexit and Right-Wing Euroscepticism in the European Parliament |url=https://www.qmul.ac.uk/nexteuk/publications/blog/items/brexit-and-right-wing-euroscepticism-in-the-european-parliament.html |website=www.qmul.ac.uk |language=en |date=25 April 2022}}}}
| chairs = Nigel Farage
Hanne Dahl
| meps = 37{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+PRESS+TW-20040720-S+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN |title=The Week, 20 July 2004 |publisher=Europarl.europa.eu |access-date=17 June 2010}} (20–23 July 2004)
28 (January 2007)
22[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/expert/groupAndCountry/search.do? European Parliament directory listing for Independence/Democracy Group] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020002923/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/expert/groupAndCountry/search.do? |date=20 October 2006 }} (24 June 2008)
18 (11 June 2009, de facto)
|website =http://indemgroup.org/
}}
Independence/Democracy (IND/DEM) was a Eurosceptic{{cite book |last1=Mesežnikov |first1=Grigorij |last2=Gyárfášová |first2=Oľga |last3=Smilov |first3=Daniel |title=Populist Politics and Liberal Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe |date=2008 |publisher=Institute for Public Affairs |location=Bratislava |isbn=978-80-89345-06-9 |page=90}}{{cite journal |last1=Ruzza |first1=Carlo |title=Populism and euroscepticism: Towards uncivil society? |journal=Policy and Society |date=2009 |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=87–98 |doi=10.1016/j.polsoc.2009.02.007 |quote=As a second type of dividing nationalism, (3) euroscepticism is different and particularly prominent in that its main theme allows for more international collaboration than is the case with radical nation-state nationalism. Thus its associations can more easily span national boundaries and constitute international alliances based on international fora. These include European Parliament parties such as the Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament, and a civil society organization such as the transnational Research Centre Free Europe}}{{cite book|author1=David Phinnemore|author2=Lee McGowan|title=A Dictionary of the European Union|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m9EB7e8pgywC&pg=PA276|access-date=7 August 2013|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-08127-0|page=276}}{{cite book|author=Lori Thorlakson|chapter=Federalism and the European party system|editor=Alexander H. Trechsel|title=Towards a Federal Europe|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mTndAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT72|year=2013|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-317-99818-1|page=72}} political group that operated in the European Parliament between 2004 and 2009. At its height in 2004, it had 37 MEPs and it only existed during the European Parliament's 6th term. It was affiliated with the Eurosceptic Europeans United for Democracy party.
Ideologically, IND/DEM was strongly opposed to the European Union and positioned on the radical right within the right-wing spectrum.{{Cite book |last=Pankowski |first=Rafal |title=The Populist Radical Right in Poland: The Patriots |publisher=Routledge |year=2010 |isbn=9781135150976 |pages=129}}{{Cite journal |last=Dočekalová |first=Pavla |date=2006 |title=Radical Right-Wing Parties in Central Europe: Mutual Contacts and Cooperation |journal=Politics in Central Europe |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=17}}{{Cite book |last=Mudde |first=Cas |title=Populist Radical Right Parties in Europe |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-511-34143-4 |location=Cambridge |pages=179}} It was a very heterogeneous grouping;{{Cite book |last1=Gora |first1=Magdalena |title=Contestation of EU Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy |last2=Styczynska |first2=Natasza |last3=Zubek |first3=Marcin |publisher=Djof Forlag |year=2020 |isbn=9788771983234 |pages=187}} it also included parties such as the UK Independence Party, Greek Popular Orthodox Rally, French Movement for France, League of Polish Families, and Lega Nord. After the 2009 European Parliament election, IND/DEM lost many of its MPs and was dissolved in favour of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD). In comparison, EFD was far-rightRoy H. Ginsberg, Demystifying the European Union: The Enduring Logic of Regional Integration, p. 170, Rowman & Littlefield, 2010, {{ISBN|0742566927}}Rob Ford, Matthew J. Goodwin, Voting for Extremists, passim, Taylor & Francis, {{ISBN|041569051X}} group that was nationalist and more strongly opposed immigration than IND/DEM.{{cite book |author1=David Phinnemore |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m9EB7e8pgywC&pg=PA189 |title=A Dictionary of the European Union |author2=Lee McGowan |publisher=Routledge |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-135-08127-0 |page=189}}
History
The 2004 European Parliament elections were reported as a good result for Eurosceptic parties.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/3806503.stm Eurosceptics storm the citadel], BBC News Online report dated Monday, 14 June 2004, 18:01 GMT{{cite web|last=Bennhold |first=Katrin |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/06/15/union_ed3__2.php |title=Political divide is said to deepen further: Populist parties make big gains in EU vote, IHT, June 15, 2004 |publisher=International Herald Tribune |date=15 June 2004 |access-date=17 June 2010}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}} 37 MEPs (33{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/calendar/calendar?APP=PDF&TYPE=PV1&FILE=20040720EN.pdf&LANGUE=EN|title=20040720EN European Parliament website|access-date=8 May 2015}} on 20 July, with four more the next day) from the UK Independence Party (UKIP), June Movement (Denmark), Movement for France (France), Northern League (Italy), ChristianUnion – Reformed Political Party (Netherlands), Popular Orthodox Rally (Greece), June List (Sweden), Independent Democrats (Czech Republic), the League of Polish Families (Poland) and an Independent MEP from the Republic of Ireland, joined in the first week of the new Parliament to form the Eurosceptic group called "Independence/Democracy" (IND/DEM), succeeding the group called "Europe of Democracies and Diversities" (EDD) that had existed during the European Parliament's 1999–2004 term.
In the first week, IND/DEM assigned a UKIP MEP to the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality. The MEP, Godfrey Bloom, promptly made comments including "No self-respecting small businessman with a brain in the right place would ever employ a lady of child-bearing age" and "I am here to represent Yorkshire women who always have dinner on the table when you get home. I am going to promote men's rights." The remarks engendered outrage from a range of fellow politicians.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3912205.stm UKIP MEP in row over working women], BBC News Online report dated Wednesday, 21 July 2004, 11:22 GMT
One UKIP MEP never made it to IND/DEM. MEP Ashley Mote was expelled from UKIP{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Anthony |title=UKIP plans alliance to scupper constitution |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/ukip-plans-alliance-to-scupper-constitution-07vkkmtj7gr |website=The Times |access-date=28 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228055716/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukip-plans-alliance-to-scupper-constitution-07vkkmtj7gr |archive-date=28 February 2024 |date=20 July 2004 |url-status=live}} prior to IND/DEM's formation[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3899969.stm UKIP suspends fraud trial Euro MP], BBC News Online report dated Friday, 16 July 2004, 11:47 GMT when it became known that he faced charges for housing benefit fraud. Mote went on to join the far-right Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty group before being convicted in 2007.[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2279582.ece British MEP convicted for benefit fraud, Times, 17 August 2007]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
The Northern League MEPs eventually all left the group after their expulsion from IND/DEM following an incident involving a T-shirt and the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy.{{cite web|author=Lucia Kubosova |url=http://euobserver.com/?aid=21153 |title=Eurosceptics kick out Italian Lega Nord party, EUO, 16 March 2006 |work=EUobserver |date=16 March 2006 |access-date=17 June 2010}} MEPs from the League of Polish Families also left the group, although not all and not all at once.{{cite web|author=Helena Spongenberg |url=http://euobserver.com/9/23095/?rk=1 |title=Parliament nations group gets a power boost, EUO, 13 December 2006 |work=EUobserver |date=13 December 2006 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
After having been suspended from UKIP following his arrest on fraud allegations,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7467318.stm MEP arrested on fraud allegation], BBC News Online report dated Saturday, 21 June 2008, 13:21 GMT MEP Tom Wise left IND/DEM in June 2008.
By 24 June 2008, IND/DEM had 22 MEPs.
After the 2009 European Parliament elections, 18{{cite web|url=http://www.elections2009-results.eu/en/index_en_txt.html |publisher=Elections2009-results.eu |access-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611150125/http://www.elections2009-results.eu/en/index_en_txt.html |archive-date=11 June 2009 |title=Results of the 2009 European elections }} IND/DEM MEPs from four Member States were elected for the 2009–2014 term (the Seventh European Parliament). The great majority of these seats (thirteen) were from the UK Independence Party, with others being two from the ChristianUnion – Reformed Political Party of the Netherlands, two from the Popular Orthodox Rally of Greece, and one from Libertas France. But that didn't meet the threshold laid down in the European Parliament's Rules of Procedure.{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+RULES-EP+20090714+RULE-030+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN&navigationBar=YES|title=Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament – July 2009 – Rule 30 – Formation of political groups|access-date=8 May 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+RULES-EP+20090309+RULE-029+DOC+XML+V0//EN&navigationBar=YES|title=Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament – March 2009 – Rule 29 – Formation of political groups|access-date=8 May 2015}} So when the Seventh European Parliament started on 14 July 2009, IND/DEM would not qualify as a group.
On 30 June 2009, it was reported the remnants of IND/DEM were to unite with the remnants of another collapsing group, Union for a Europe of Nations (UEN), to create a new group whose official name was not yet determined.{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/843/28394|title=Ukip, Lega Nord form hard-right bloc in EU Parliament|date=30 June 2009 |access-date=8 May 2015}}
On 1 July 2009 a press conference was held launching the new group.[http://indemgroup.eu/32/news/556/?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=1&cHash=913b16272c "EU-Critical Group in European Parliament launches"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707130358/http://indemgroup.eu/32/news/556/?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=1&cHash=913b16272c |date=7 July 2009 }}, 1 July 2009, from [http://indemgroup.eu http://indemgroup.eu] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302145232/http://indemgroup.eu/ |date=2 March 2008 }} That press conference named the new group Europe of Freedom and Democracy.{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/9/28403|title=New eurosceptic group to campaign against EU treaty in Irish referendum|date=July 2009 |access-date=8 May 2015}}{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8129312.stm|title=BBC NEWS – Europe – UKIP forms new Eurosceptic group|access-date=8 May 2015|date=July 2009}} IND/DEM had ceased to exist.
Structure
=Subgroups=
IND/DEM was a coalition of MEPs from two distinct wings of Euroscepticism: a reformist subgroup (sometimes referred to as Eurorealists) made up of those MEPs who believed that the EU was essentially desirable if reformed and who supported greater transparency and control over the EU bureaucracy, and a secessionist subgroup consisting of those MEPs (notably UKIP{{cite web |last1=Persson |first1=Martin Olof |title=Turkey as a member of the European Union? |url=http://epubl.ltu.se/1402-1552/2007/079/LTU-DUPP-07079-SE.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505180705/http://epubl.ltu.se/1402-1552/2007/079/LTU-DUPP-07079-SE.pdf |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}) who believed that the EU was inherently wrong even if reformed and who advocated withdrawal from the EU.{{cite web|url=http://italy.usembassy.gov/pdf/other/RS21998.pdf |title=Congressional Research Service Report RS21998, on the European Parliament, by Kristin Archick, Specialist in European Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division, Updated January 23, 2008 |access-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527111942/http://italy.usembassy.gov/pdf/other/RS21998.pdf |archive-date=27 May 2010 }}
=Organisation=
IND/DEM had a joint political leadership. The group's co-chairs were Nigel Farage[http://indemgroup.eu/8/ Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament: Our Members] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704154645/http://indemgroup.eu/8/ |date=4 July 2008 }} (UKIP) and Hanne Dahl, the latter succeeding Kathy Sinnott, who in turn succeeded long-time MEP Jens-Peter Bonde (June Movement) on his retirement in May 2008. Farage represented the secessionist subgroup, and Sinnott the reformist subgroup. The leadership was loose, enabling the two subgroups to unite around the broad principles of democracy and transparency which were embodied in its statute and to which IND/DEM MEPs were expected to adhere.[http://indemgroup.eu/16/ Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament: Program] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702151139/http://indemgroup.eu/16/ |date=2 July 2008 }} The day-to-day running of the group was performed by its secretariat, and its secretaries-general were Claudine Vangrunderbeeck and Herman Verheirstraeten.[http://indemgroup.eu/7/ Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament: Staff] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705053829/http://indemgroup.eu/7/ |date=5 July 2008 }}
Membership
=11 June–1 July 2009=
File:IND-DEM percentage map 11 June 2009.PNG for sources)
| {{legend|#FFE0E0|no MEPs}}
{{legend|#FFA0C0|1% to 5%}} {{legend|#FF80C0|5% to 10%}} {{legend|#FF40A0|10% to 20%}} {{legend|#C00080|20% to 30%}} {{legend|#A00040|30% to 40%}} {{legend|#800000|40% to 50%}} {{legend|#400000|50% plus}} |
]]
After the 2009 European Parliament elections, 18 IND/DEM MEPs (too few for a viable group) were elected as follows:
=24 July 2008–11 June 2009=
IND/DEM member parties as of 24 July 2008 were as follows:
| class="wikitable" |
| Country
! colspan="3"| Name ! Ideology |
|---|
| {{flag|United Kingdom}}
! style="background:{{party color|UK Independence Party}}"| | UKIP |
| {{flag|France}}
! style="background:{{party color|Movement for France}}"| | MPF |
| {{flag|Netherlands}}
! style="background:{{party color|Christian Union – Reformed Political Party}}"| | CU–SGP |
| {{flag|Greece}}
! style="background:{{party color|Popular Orthodox Rally}}"| | LAOS |
| {{flag|Denmark}}
! style="background:{{party color|June Movement}}"| | JB |
| {{flag|Sweden}}
! style="background:{{party color|June List}}"| | jl |
| {{flag|Czech Republic}}
! style="background:{{party color|Independent Democrats (Czech Republic)}}"| | NEZDEM |
| {{flag|Poland}}
! style="background:{{party color|League of Polish Families}}"| | LPR |
=Membership by country at December 2007=
File:IND-DEM percentage map December 2007.PNG for sources)
| {{legend|#FFE0E0|no MEPs}}
{{legend|#FFA0C0|1% to 5%}} {{legend|#FF80C0|5% to 10%}} {{legend|#FF40A0|10% to 20%}} {{legend|#C00080|20% to 30%}} {{legend|#A00040|30% to 40%}} {{legend|#800000|40% to 50%}} {{legend|#400000|50% plus}} |
]]
A December 2007 European Parliament document considered the groups. Page 9 of that document had a table. That table gave the number of MEPs for each group and member state at December 2007. That table's data for IND/DEM is depicted as percentages in the diagram on the right.{{cite web |title=The faces of the European Parliament 2007–09 |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/pdf/welcome_brochures/faces/ep_faces_2007_09_en.pdf |publisher=European Parliament |access-date=28 February 2024}}
Such support for IND/DEM as was expressed came from Northern European states, with especial reference to the member states of the North-West. Its strongholds were Sweden and Denmark, who sent "June list" MEPs from June List and June Movement to the Parliament, and the United Kingdom, with 13% of its MEPs at December 2007 coming from UKIP and sitting with IND/DEM. As of December 2007 no member state had more than 13% of its MEPs sitting with IND/DEM and eighteen member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain) had none.
{{clear}}
= Membership at formation at 20–23 July 2004 =
File:IND-DEM percentage map 20-23 July 2004.PNG for sources)
| {{legend|#FFE0E0|no MEPs}}
{{legend|#FFA0C0|1% to 5%}} {{legend|#FF80C0|5% to 10%}} {{legend|#FF40A0|10% to 20%}} {{legend|#C00080|20% to 30%}} {{legend|#A00040|30% to 40%}} {{legend|#800000|40% to 50%}} {{legend|#400000|50% plus}} |
]]
The IND/DEM MEPs at 20–23 July 2004 were as follows:
Activities
=In the news=
Activities performed by IND/DEM in the period between 1 June 2004 and 1 June 2008 that resulted in an entry on Google News include:
- seeking to allow Parliament to be filmed;
- criticising EC President Barroso for taking a cruise on a yacht owned by Spiro Latsis prior to the Commission giving a Latsis shipyard a grant of €10 million;{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/|title=Breaking News, World News & Multimedia}}{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.volkskrant.nl%2Fbuitenland%2Farticle199382.ece&sl=nl&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 |title=MEPs see no bread in motion against Barroso, dV, 9 June 2005 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
- trying to get a European Parliament auditor's report on alleged abuses of staff allowances published;{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/02/26/afx4698634.html |title=Report on EU parliament funding abuse to remain secret, dV, February 26, 2008 |work=Forbes.com |date=26 February 2008 |access-date=17 June 2010}}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ad.nl%2Fbuitenland%2F2128020%2FVan_Buitenen_voert_druk_op_EP_op.html&sl=nl&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 |title=van Buitenen puts pressure on EP, AD, March 11, 2008 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
- opposing the appointment of Rocco Buttiglione as Justice Commissioner;[http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/10/27/eu.barroso/ Barroso defends delay in EU vote, CNN, 27 October 2004] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061030204846/http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/10/27/eu.barroso/ |date=30 October 2006 }}
- arguing against the Constitution Treaty,[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article515432.ece EU's poll data 'propaganda': Millions are to be spent on promoting the constitution among member states, Times, 17 February 2005]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article445493.ece Leaders plan for a robust constitution as remedy to voter apathy, Times, 15 June 2004]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article504641.ece They don't like the EU constitution? Quick, send in the force, Times, 21 January 2005]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} {{cite web|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200507/11/eng20050711_195396.html |title=EU charter's fate still uncertain after Luxembourg's Yes vote, PD, July 11, 2005 |publisher=English.people.com.cn |date=11 July 2005 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
- arguing against the Lisbon Treaty,[http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/meps-kosovo-and-lisbon-treaty-should-top-eu-agenda/ MEPs: Kosovo and Lisbon treaty should top EU agenda, PM, 16 January 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609183518/http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/meps-kosovo-and-lisbon-treaty-should-top-eu-agenda/ |date=9 June 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/future-eu/eu-treaty-deal-meets-praise-criticism/article-164921 |title=EU Treaty deal meets praise and criticism, EA, 27 June 2007 |publisher=Euractiv.com |access-date=17 June 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oe-journal.at%2FAktuelles%2F%212005%2F1205%2FW3%2F52012schuelerPk.htm&sl=de&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 |title=Students discuss with top-level representatives of the EU Parliament, OJ, 20 December 2005 |access-date=17 June 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8861 |title=Brussels Will Lose Moral Authority on Democracy, CI, December 21, 2007 |publisher=Cato.org |date=21 December 2007 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
- arguing against a deeper Europe;[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article443424.ece Many tongues, now some teeth, Times, 10 June 2004]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- expelling Lega Nord and the League of Polish Families;{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wienerzeitung.at%2FDesktopDefault.aspx%3FTabID%3D3857%26Alias%3Dwzo%26cob%3D223993&sl=de&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 |title=Lega Nord expelled from the Eurosceptic group Independence and Democracy. Borghezio announces appeals, IN, 16 March 2006 |access-date=17 June 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wienerzeitung.at%2FDesktopDefault.aspx%3FTabID%3D3857%26Alias%3Dwzo%26cob%3D223993&sl=de&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 |title=Northern League as a free radical, WZ, 18 March 2006 |access-date=17 June 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww3.varesenews.it%2Fitalia%2Farticolo.php%3Fid%3D47809&sl=it&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 |title=Lega Nord permanently expelled from the Eurosceptic group, VN, 18 March 2006 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
- arguing against the two-person Presidency,[http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/bonde-calls-for-election-not-coronation-in-eu-parliament-vote/ Bonde calls for ‘election not coronation’ in EU parliament vote, PM, 15 January 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609184632/http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/bonde-calls-for-election-not-coronation-in-eu-parliament-vote/ |date=9 June 2009 }}[http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/wurtz-urges-sea-change-in-eu-parliament-elections/ Wurtz urges sea change in EU parliament elections, PM, 12 January 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609183619/http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/wurtz-urges-sea-change-in-eu-parliament-elections/ |date=9 June 2009 }}
- arguing against the two-seat Parliament,[http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/strasbourgnbsp-spinelessness-angers-eu-deputies/ Strasbourg 'spinelessness' angers EU deputies, PM, 15 June 2006] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609182730/http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/strasbourgnbsp-spinelessness-angers-eu-deputies/ |date=9 June 2009 }}{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trouw.nl%2Flaatstenieuws%2Flaatstenieuws%2Farticle350163.ece%2FVoorzitter_EP_praat_niet_meer_over_Straatsburg&sl=nl&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 |title=EP President no longer talking about Strasbourg, TR, 15 June 2006 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
- arguing against attempts to fund plans to improve EP turnout;[http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/meps-outlinenbspplans-to-boost-eunbspparliament-election-turnout/ MEPs outline plans to boost EU parliament election turnout, PM, 27 November 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609182658/http://www.eupolitix.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/meps-outlinenbspplans-to-boost-eunbspparliament-election-turnout/ |date=9 June 2009 }}
- arguing for greater control of the commission by Parliament,[http://www.euractiv.com/en/opinion/parliament-strengthens-control-commission/article-156620 Parliament strengthens its control over the Commission, EA, 11 September 2006] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829225620/http://www.euractiv.com/en/opinion/parliament-strengthens-control-commission/article-156620 |date=29 August 2008 }}
- arguing for decentralisation,{{cite web|url=http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/8610 |title=MEPs debate Commission 2007 work programme, EGOV, 16 November 2006 |publisher=Egovmonitor.com |date=16 November 2006 |access-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609204933/http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/8610 |archive-date=9 June 2009 }}
- arguing for mandatory lobbying disclosure,{{cite web|last=Marson |first=Ingrid |url=http://news.zdnet.co.uk/itmanagement/0,1000000308,39209714,00.htm |title=More MEPs demand transparency after patent debacle, ZDNET, 19 July 2005 |publisher=News.zdnet.co.uk |date=19 July 2005 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
- supporting whistleblower Hans-Peter Martin.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/06/13/2003174880 |title=EU perks-buster wins little popularity, TT, June 13, 2004 |publisher=Taipeitimes.com |date=13 June 2004 |access-date=17 June 2010}}
=Parliamentary activity profile=
File:Motions for resolutions put to the vote in plenary in the European Parliament August 1 2004 to August 1 2008.PNG for sources)
{{legend|#FF9900|IND/DEM: 43 motions}}
]]
The debates and votes in the European Parliament are tracked by its website[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/plenary/motion/search.do?language=EN Plenary sitting – Home]. Europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved on 7 September 2013. and categorised by the Groups that participate in them and the rule of procedure that they fall into. The results give a profile for each Group by category and the total indicates the Group's level of participation in Parliamentary debates. The activity profile for each Group for the period 1 August 2004 to 1 August 2008 in the Sixth European Parliament is given on the diagram on the right. IND/DEM is denoted in orange.
The website shows IND/DEM as participating in 43 motions, making it one of the most inactive Groups during the period.
=Publications=
IND/DEM publications included the Prague Declaration of October 2005, which restated their disapproval of the Constitution Treaty and belief that the values it embodied should not be resurrected,{{cite web |url=http://indemgroup.eu/uploads/media/Prague_declaration_EN.pdf |title=The Prague Declaration on the future of Europe |date=18 October 2005 |publisher=Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament |access-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904011213/http://indemgroup.eu/uploads/media/Prague_declaration_EN.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2009 |url-status=dead}} and the Delphi Declaration of July 2007, which made similar points concerning the Treaty of Lisbon.{{cite web |url=http://indemgroup.eu/uploads/media/declaration_of_Delphi.pdf |title=The Declaration of Delphi |publisher=Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament |date=July 2007 |access-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904011231/http://indemgroup.eu/uploads/media/declaration_of_Delphi.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2009 |url-status=dead}} IND/DEM also published a newsletter called EU Watch, which gave a eurosceptic view on the EU activities of the day.{{cite web|url=http://indemgroup.eu/48/ |title=EUWatch |publisher=Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament |date=26 June 2008 |access-date=5 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626174454/http://indemgroup.eu/48/ |archive-date=26 June 2008 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://indemgroup.org/ Independence/Democracy Group in the European Parliament] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110221152/http://indemgroup.org/ |date=10 November 2007 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060905213952/http://eudemocrats.org/ EUDemocrats official website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Independence Democracy}}
Category:2004 establishments in the European Union
Category:2009 disestablishments in the European Union
Category:Former European Parliament party groups
Category:Former European political alliances
Category:Political parties disestablished in 2009