Euro election at a glance 27/5/09

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

It was all smiles when French Socialist Party (PS) leader Martine Aubry met Segolene Royal, her arch-rival in last year's bitter contest for the party leadership. The PS stressed that there were "no preconditions" for these key campaign talks near Nantes. The PS is trailing behind the ruling UMP in opinion polls, and this was an occasion to display party unity.

In the Czech Republic, opposition Social Democratic Party (CSSD) leader Jiri Paroubek and aides were pelted with eggs at a rally in Prague. Egg-throwing incidents have marred his rallies in this campaign. He carried on speaking, dripping with egg yolk.

DAILY QUOTE

"Those whose prime interest is making money should steer clear of a political career."

(British Labour MP Paul Flynn, referring to the expenses scandal rocking British politics.)

NEWS IN NUMBERS

In Greece, an opinion poll puts the Ecologist Greens third, on 8.5% - enough to get them into the European Parliament. Founded in 2002, the party failed to win a seat in the 2004 election.

The Public Issue survey suggests that Greece's devastating wildfires in 2007 may have generated more concern about the environment.

The poll puts the opposition Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) in front, on 33%, with the ruling conservative New Democracy Party on 28.5%, ekathimerini.com news website reports.

So far the number of Swedes voting early is much higher than last time round, Swedish radio reports. There is speculation that this could mean a higher than expected voter turnout. The official polling day is 7 June.

Early voting is also in full swing in Finland. But a poll by national broadcaster YLE this month suggested that only 36% of registered Finnish voters intend to cast their ballots.

Day at a glance 26 May 09

DAILY PICTURE

Czech opposition leader Jiri Paroubek has an umbrella as a shield against eggs at his rallies