Space, the final precinct

As I've been reporting all month, European Parliament elections take place this week throughout the 27 European Union member states. EU leaders have been wringing their hands for many months that turnout is expected to be a record low, despite some $25 million spent on unprecedented get-out-the-vote efforts, including prominent use of social media.

A particularly creative message was launched, so to speak, yesterday, when Belgian astronaut Frank de Winne — aboard the International Space Station — announced that he had arranged to vote absentee and urged his fellow Europeans to cast their ballots. 

"Europe looks united and great from up here!" De Winne says, attributing his stellar success to European cooperation. He will take over as commander of the space station in October.

Nine countries kick off the voting June 4 and the other 18 follow through Sunday.  I'll be reporting live as results come in, so please join us here on GlobalPost!

http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/european-union/090603/space-the-final-precinct