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13 May 2009
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DEBATE: THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Posted by: Leo A Capella
Karma:
1826
Currently the President of the European Commission is an unelected person nominated by the European Council of ministers and then confirmed by the European Parliament. However should this person be elected by the parliament giving a semi elected figurehead to the Commission or should the appointment process remain in control of the ministers and have a approval from our elected leaders?
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THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Counter apathy through increased democracy
Ever since the European Parliament became directly elected in 1979 turnout has consistently dropped from a high of 63% to the last election in 2004 where turnout was a low of 45.3%[1] . One of the reasons cited for this is that the elections tend to be about national issues (for example the UK the Iraq War in 2004) rather than the direction of Europe or any European issues.[2] Giving parliament the power to elect the president of the commission would change this by providing an implicitly elected person with a European agenda rather than a national one.
- ^ EurActiv.com "Voter turnout in Europe lower than ever" Accessed http://www.euractiv.com/en/elections/voter-turnout-european-election-lower/article-117868
- ^ EurActiv.com "Voter turnout in Europe lower than ever" Accessed http://www.euractiv.com/en/elections/voter-turnout-european-election-lower/article-117868
Although I agree with with this argument in favour of the Parliament electing trhe President, I come to a different conclusion. It would be even more democratic if the European public were to elect the President direct and this would give the successful candidate even more of a European agenda.
What do you think? Vote on this point below.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
An accountable bridge between the European Parliament and the Commission
The Commission is an entirely unelected body yet it has a wide range of powers including providing nearly all the legislation for the European Parliament and Council ministers to decide on.[1] Allowing Parliament to elect the President of the Commission would give more control to parliament in shaping the agenda and give the elected body more power through having a member that they "choose" and who is to a certain degree obliged to act according to his parties agenda if he or she wants to run for a second five year term with their support.[2]
- ^ "Appointment of commissioners" European Navigator- The History of a United Europe on the internet http://www.ena.lu/- Right to propose legislation
- ^ European Navigator- The History of a United Europe on the internet "Appointments on the European Commission" http://www.ena.lu/
The Commission is already accountable to parliament as parliament can refuse to accept the nomination of a president or commissioners. Parliament has also flexed this muscle recently too.[1] For example in 2004 it was clear that it would not accept Rocco Buttiglione the Italian candidate for the Home Affairs and Justice Commissioner because his views were seen as too socially conservative for Europe particularly over homosexuality and single mothers[2]. This "accountable bridge" could make the commission overly partisan and unable to take the decisions it needs to such as over the Common Agricultural Policy.
- ^ "Powers of the European Parliament" European Navigator- The History of a United Europe on the internet http://www.ena.lu/- Accessed 13.05.2008
- ^ BBC News Online "Buttiglione pulled from EU Team" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3966983.stm
What do you think? Vote on this point below.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Balances out the impact of the Lisbon Treaty
"If the Lisbon Treaty is ratified by member states" then the European Council (better known as the council of ministers) which is made up of heads of state ad government will elect a president[1]. This person will be a sort of stable figure for it's work. If the president of the commission is not elected and
its mandate not strengthened then the EU as a whole will be seen as even less legitimate due to power being focused in the governing elites.[2]
- ^ Who is your candidate- Why Sign http://www.who-is-your-candidate.eu/why-sign/
- ^ http://www.who-is-your-candidate.eu/why-sign/
The Lisbon Treaty has to survive a legal challenge Germany's courts and a second referendum in Ireland ( a country which voted No to it by a clear margin last time round) so it may still not come into force. This seems like parliament placing bets on a treaty being ratified which may not be ratified.[1]
- ^ Mahony Honor "MEP's seek control over European commission president nomination. http://euobserver.com/18/28091 Accessed 13.05.2009
What do you think? Vote on this point below.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Yet another slip down a slippery slope
Electing the commission president would be yet another move towards a European superstate. This is because it would be shifting power away from officials who are democratically elected by their citizens towards Europe.[1]
- ^ Simons Johnathan "EU President, Direct Election of " Idea http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=164
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Breaks a compromise between small member states and big states in the EU
Currently the current system means that the Council represents small states with parliament effectively representing big states. Small states could feel effectively squashed as some countries like the UK could get more interest where as smaller states like Luxembourg would get less attention. Also federal systems of any sort like the US have normally got two houses which allow equal representation for small states and big states. The European Parliament is only made up of one elected chamber which means that decisions would be weighted in favour of the bigger states interest.[1]
- ^ Simons Johnathan "EU President, Direct Election of " Idea http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=164
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Wrong area to make an impact
The European Union may be administered by the Commission but it isn't steered by the commission[1]. That's done by the Council of Ministers which by the way has co-decision powers with the commission meaning that its where the "real power lies" and it also proposes legislature.[2]
- ^ European Navigator- The History of a United Europe on the internet “Council of Ministers” http://www.ena.lu/
- ^ Simons Johnathan "EU President, Direct Election of " Idea http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=164
Vote on the overall debate: The President of the European Commission should be elected by the European Parliament
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