Hans-Peter Martin's List
Encyclopedia
The Hans-Peter Martin's List – For genuine control in Brussels is an Austrian
anti-corruption
and pro-transparency
political party
. It currently has 3 seats in the European Parliament
.
The party was founded in 2004 by Hans-Peter Martin
who previously led the Austrian Social Democratic
parliamentary party in the European Parliament after he had come into conflict with his own party. In the European Parliament election, 2004
he received a very surprising 14 per cent of the vote — more than the Greens
or the Austrian Freedom Party — and gained two seats for Austria in the European Parliament
. His colleague at the time of the elections was Karin Resetarits
, a former journalist with both the ORF
and a private radio station. However, they soon found themselves in heavy disagreement and ceased to work together. She joined the Liberal group
in the European parliament on June 7, 2005
The party also competed in the Austrian legislative elections of 2006
as the "Dr. Martin's List — For Democracy, Control, Justice" (MATIN), but obtained no seats in the parliament.
alliance Libertas.eu
, but later rebuffed Libertas' advances. While Libertas finally didn't manage to set up a list at all, Martin successfully competed in the election
with his independent list. He even surprised many by increasing his vote share to 18%, leading to three seats in the European Parliament.
Later, Martin wanted third-placed Angelika Werthmann not to take up her seat so that fourth-placed Martin Ehrenhauser
could become an MEP instead. However, Werthmann refused to do so, and in the end, second-placed Robert Sabitzer didn't take up his seat; afterwards, there were rumours that Werthmann might leave to join the Greens or the ÖVP instead . The list however vigorously denied the accusations and the supposed defection has not occurred.
Reportedly, following the 2009 election Martin tried to have his three MEPs join the ALDE
group; Martin later denied that he had wanted to join.
Politics of Austria
The Politics of Austria take place in a framework of a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic, with a Federal Chancellor as the head of government, and a Federal President as head of state. Executive power is exercised by the governments, both local and federal...
anti-corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and pro-transparency
Transparency (humanities)
Transparency, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in a social context more generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
. It currently has 3 seats in the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
.
The party was founded in 2004 by Hans-Peter Martin
Hans-Peter Martin
Hans-Peter Martin is an Austrian journalist and politician who has been a Member of the European Parliament since 1999.Born in Bregenz, Vorarlberg, Martin worked for the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel...
who previously led the Austrian Social Democratic
Social Democratic Party of Austria
The Social Democratic Party of Austria is one of the oldest political parties in Austria. The SPÖ is one of the two major parties in Austria, and has ties to trade unions and the Austrian Chamber of Labour. The SPÖ is among the few mainstream European social-democratic parties that have preserved...
parliamentary party in the European Parliament after he had come into conflict with his own party. In the European Parliament election, 2004
European Parliament election, 2004
Elections to the European Parliament were held from 10 June 2004 to 13 June 2004 in the 25 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according to local custom...
he received a very surprising 14 per cent of the vote — more than the Greens
Austrian Green Party
The Greens – The Green Alternative is a political party in the Austrian parliament.The party was formed in 1986 with the name Grüne Alternative, following the merger of the more conservative Green party Vereinte Grüne Österreichs and the more progressive party Alternative Liste Österreichs The...
or the Austrian Freedom Party — and gained two seats for Austria in the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
. His colleague at the time of the elections was Karin Resetarits
Karin Resetarits
Karin Resetarits is an Austrian journalist and politician. She was a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 until 2009.- Early and personal life :...
, a former journalist with both the ORF
ORF
ORF may refer to:* ORF , the Austrian public service broadcaster.* Open reading frame, a portion of the genome.* The IATA airport code for Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk, Virginia.* ORF format , Olympus raw image file format....
and a private radio station. However, they soon found themselves in heavy disagreement and ceased to work together. She joined the Liberal group
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe is a transnational alliance between two European political parties: the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party and the European Democratic Party. It has political groups in the European Parliament, the EU Committee of the Regions, the...
in the European parliament on June 7, 2005
The party also competed in the Austrian legislative elections of 2006
Austrian legislative election, 2006
The 2006 general election for the National Council in Austria was held on 1 October 2006.Following the Austrian legislative election, 1999, the Austrian People's Party had formed a coalition government with the Austrian Freedom Party , and later the Alliance for the Future of Austria .As a result...
as the "Dr. Martin's List — For Democracy, Control, Justice" (MATIN), but obtained no seats in the parliament.
European parliament election, 2009
In 2009, Martin flirted with the idea of heading a planned Austrian list of the pan-European euroscepticalEuroscepticism
Euroscepticism is a general term used to describe criticism of the European Union , and opposition to the process of European integration, existing throughout the political spectrum. Traditionally, the main source of euroscepticism has been the notion that integration weakens the nation state...
alliance Libertas.eu
Libertas.eu
Libertas is a political party founded by Declan Ganley that took part in the European Parliament election, 2009 in several member states of the European Union.-Preamble:...
, but later rebuffed Libertas' advances. While Libertas finally didn't manage to set up a list at all, Martin successfully competed in the election
European Parliament election, 2009 (Austria)
The European Parliament election of 2009 in Austria was the election of the delegation from Austria to the European Parliament in 2009. Austria will have 17 seats in the European Parliament, instead of 18 that the country had before the re-allocation of seats....
with his independent list. He even surprised many by increasing his vote share to 18%, leading to three seats in the European Parliament.
Later, Martin wanted third-placed Angelika Werthmann not to take up her seat so that fourth-placed Martin Ehrenhauser
Martin Ehrenhauser
Martin Ehrenhauser is an Austrian Member of the European Parliament. He took his seat in the parliament when Hans-Peter Martin's List, an independent Austrian list led by author and MEP Hans-Peter Martin gained 17.7% of the Austrian vote in the 2009 elections for the European Parliament.He, like...
could become an MEP instead. However, Werthmann refused to do so, and in the end, second-placed Robert Sabitzer didn't take up his seat; afterwards, there were rumours that Werthmann might leave to join the Greens or the ÖVP instead . The list however vigorously denied the accusations and the supposed defection has not occurred.
Reportedly, following the 2009 election Martin tried to have his three MEPs join the ALDE
Alde
Alde is a village in Suffolk, England.ALDE is also an auction house specialized in books, manuscripts and coins : ....
group; Martin later denied that he had wanted to join.