European lists – at last?

And if we all could vote for Europeans . . . wouldn’t that unite people across borders, push politicians to address common interests instead of national ones during European elections, and make voters feel part of a common political space? Wouldn’t that turn the ‘what is best for us all’ into priority number one?

Dedicated democrats in the European Parliament are convinced it will. After years of lobbying, they have prepared a proposition on which Parliament votes on July 7/8. A yes, however, is far from sure. The Greens/EFA are, the Finnish members excepted, in favour. But all other political families are divided or opposed to adding 25 seats to the Parliament for that purpose, as the English ‘rapporteur’ Andrew Duff (Liberals & Democrats) proposes.

But even if Parliament agrees, the battle isn’t won; the consent of government leaders is needed as well. And that consent is far from obvious in nationalistic times like ours.Therefore the debate needs to be broadened and pressure from outside the Brussels-Strasbourg arena be built up.

The Supporters’ Network makes a first attempt during the European Summer University in Frankfurt/Odder, from 8-11 September. It organises a workshop in which an MEP and a critical journalist discuss, together with the participants, the resistances that need to be overcome and the ways that could be done.

Wanted: your opinion Are European lists a brilliant idea or an idée fixe

Read Duff’s background paper Post National Democracy and the Reform of the European Parliament.