The smartspider is a graphical visualisation of the political profiles of the candidates/parties and user based on their answers to the questionnaire. Each of the six axes represents a formulated goal in a policy area (e.g. Environmental Protection) based on 2-4 statements from the questionnaire. Some statements have been assigned to multiple axes and some statements have not been assigned to any axes. For each axis a value of between 100 and 0 points can be reached. A value of 100, at the outside edge of the spider, represents strong agreement with the formulated goal of the corresponding axis. A value of 0, at the middle of the spider, means that there is no agreement with the formulated goal. The more similar the political profiles of a candidate/party and user are, the more their smartspiders will overlap.
The six smartvote axes/policy goals:
Liberal Society: One agrees with fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and supports the measures against discrimination on grounds of gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
Economic Liberalism: One supports a free market capitalist system based primarily on supply and demand without the interference of the state through regulations. Additionally, one believes that the freedom of ownership, efficiency and growth are the essential engines of the economy.
National Sovereignty: One agrees that EU Member States should maintain their autonomy and independence and supports measures that limits the ability of the European Union to infringe on national sovereignty. The identity and culture of the individual Member States is more important than that of the European Union.
Welfare State: One supports redistribution of wealth through higher taxes and increased social services. The welfare state should provide generous public services such as: pensions, unemployment, welfare, family support, healthcare, education, etc.
Environmental Protection: One supports policies and regulations that seek to preserve the environment, biodiversity and natural habitats, as well as prevent climate change, and ensure the sustainable consumption of natural resources.
Democratic Participation in the European Union: One supports policies that increase the engagement of citizens in political life, increases their opportunities for participation in democratic processes and expands their role in decision-making processes.
For more information on the smartspider and which statements are assigned with which axes, see the methodology.