German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder

We must continue this [German welfare reform] policy because it is objectively necessary... There's no denying the bitterness of the defeat.

Czech Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla

The anti-integration parties won.

French opposition Socialist Jean-Marc Ayrault

This colourless government has no legitimacy any more and common sense should lead [Prime Minister] Raffarin and his team to resign.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel

Any elections are about national politics.

Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot

Perhaps for many voters Brussels or Strasbourg is too far from their capitals... People are disappointed with their governments, not with the EU.

Robert Kilroy-Silk, victorious candidate for Britain's Euro-sceptic UK Independence Party

It is extremely patronising to suggest that people who voted out of a very deep and clear conviction or commitment are wasting their vote or protesting....

We are the only party throughout the election that had a very clear, straightforward policy. We are the only party that talked about Europe and didn't actually tell any lies.

Livia Turco, member of Italy's opposition Olive Tree coalition

There has been a loss of consensus by the government... There has been an erosion.

European Parliament head Pat Cox

This is especially important as a wake-up call for those leaders in those states who propose to hold referenda on the constitutional treaty.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw

Part of the purpose of the draft constitutional treaty is to make the European Union more efficient and more responsive... Across Europe, we have seen sitting governments receive significant protest votes against them.

David Harley, spokesman for European Parliament head, Pat Cox

It remains a disappointing, indeed pathetically low turnout.

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski

[Voter apathy] is a disease we will have to look at, and analyse the reasons why we are so far from civic values.

Graham Watson, head of the European Liberal Democrats grouping in the EU parliament

To a certain extent [voters in new EU member states are] tired of voting... But it reflects a certain disillusion with the way their countries are moving.