European Parliament prevents pan-European lists
The members of the European Parliament have once again rejected an old idea. They voted by a clear majority against transnational lists in the next elections to the European Parliament that would for example have allowed a French voter to vote for a Polish candidate for a seat in the parliament. Many commentators voice disappointment.
A betrayal of the citizens
This is a betrayal of the citizens, Il Sole 24 Ore's Brussels correspondent Adriana Cerretelli rails:
“Who would have believed that the EU Parliament, which sees itself as the cradle and laboratory of pan-European democracy, as the voice and soul of the people of Europe, would deny these values in the name of nationalist interests and power struggles? ... [The transnational lists] would have been in keeping with the spirit of the times which favours a more political, stronger and better integrated Europe. A Europe of peoples, not just of the elite. ... Nothing can be done about it now. A parliament that is more European in name than in facts - which has always been the product of 27 national elections concentrated on national issues - has missed another opportunity to become truly European.”
Another missed chance for fresh start
Deutschlandfunk mourns a missed opportunity:
“This would have been a chance to at least sow the seed of a European public sphere. Twenty years ago the European Parliament resolved to do just that. The governments of the member states blocked this attempt back then. Today they don't even have to think about it anymore. The majority of the current MEPs don't want to hear anything about it and spend their time blustering about the fear of a European superstate instead. Or about not presenting a Spanish or Danish candidate to German voters. The time simply isn't right for this. The nationalists and right-wing populists are dominating public discussion and the supposed pro-Europeans are making themselves scarce.”