As the European Parliament acquired greater powers in the EU’s legislative procedure, so did EU citizens who directly elect their representatives. Indeed, in a few weeks’ time, 500 million EU citizens will have the power to decide who will be representing them in the EP, which is the only directly elected institution in the EU.
The 2014 elections are unprecedented because they will be the first elections under the new rules introduced by theLisbon Treaty.
For the first time in EP elections, voters will also be choosing indirectly the next president of the European Commission. Indeed, as envisaged under the new rules, the new Commission president will be appointed depending on the outcome of the EP elections.
The European Council will propose a candidate to the EP; which will then decide whether to appoint the candidate or not. Although the role of the EU citizen is an indirect one, it is still a significant one because the entire procedure rests on the outcome of the EP elections.
The role of president of the Commission has tremendous importance not only in the running of the Commission itself but also in the development of policies within the EU. Being the president of the main legislative initiator in the EU brings with it a high degree of responsibility and power, especially when taking into consideration that the president has to lay down the guidelines within which the Commission can work.
Thus, since the EP will have greater powers in the appointment of the Commission president, every voter should be aware of the significance of their vote. One will not be choosing only an MEP but also contributing to the process of shaping the EU.
There has been some criticism over the new procedure but one can only decide on its effectiveness after the upcoming elections.
Overall, the Lisbon Treaty enhanced the EP’s power mainly on two fronts: first, as we have seen, by giving the EP a greater say on the composition of the European Commission and, secondly, by strengthening the EP’s role as a co-legislator within the EU.
One has to keep in mind that the EP started off merely as an advisory body and it now has both budgetary and legislative powers. The Lisbon Treaty contributed greatly to this. In fact, in the past few years, the EP acquired legislative powers in policy areas that were characterised by intergovernmentalism, such as the Common Agricultural Policy.
Overall, over 40 new fields became subject to the ordinary legislative procedure. This greatly contrasts with the situation prior to the Lisbon Treaty, when the EP had to use alternative channels of influence in certain policy areas. More than once it was evident that, since the EP did not have legislative powers in some areas, the room for manoeuvre was quite limited.
It is up to the EU citizens to make their voice heard and shape the EU’s future
Nevertheless, most of the benefits and other potential advantages have been overshadowed by the eurozone crisis, bailouts and budget cuts. In fact, this past experience puts at risk issues such as democratic legitimacy and efficiency, two important aspects the Lisbon Treaty tried to improve. However, this does not necessarily mean that we can dismiss the potential of the Lisbon Treaty but, rather, seek closer cooperation between national parliaments and other EU consultative bodies. Thus, with greater effort and commitment, the EU can start to resolve the issue of democratic deficit.
Many argue that since the EP is the only institution that is directly elected by EU citizens, it was only logical to extend its power. This is because, if one wants to increase democratisation within the EU, the EP’s powers have to be extended.
Now that the Lisbon Treaty has extended these powers, it is up to the EU citizens to make their voice heard and shape the EU’s future. With a greater involvement of a directly-elected body (EP) the EU may be closer to better safeguard the interests of its citizens.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.