Just over half the Maltese agree the European Commission President should be directly elected, according to a Eurobarometer survey published in Brussels.

In a poll conducted by Misco last November, 52 per cent of Maltese respondents said the EU executive’s leader should be elected during the next MEP elections in May, after the main political parties present candidates.

Under the present system, the president – currently Portugal’s José Manuel Barroso – is chosen by the 27 EU country leaders following horse-trading among member states.

The EU is trying to introduce new concepts in the next MEP elections to increase participation by European voters, which hit an all-time low when they were last held in 2009.

Malta is almost the exception to the rule, as in 2009 it registered the highest turnout among the 27 member states.

On an EU level, respondents were more enthusiastic about the proposal, with 62 per cent agreeing the popular election of the president would be a good idea and should increase interest in the process.

The majority of Maltese also agreed that setting the same day for the 28 elections in member states – with Croatia joining the bloc soon – should also increase interest.

Currently, MEP elections are held on separate dates in the EU although within a couple of weeks of each other.

The Commission yesterday tabled a proposal aimed at better informing voters about the issues at stake in next year’s EP elections.

Apart from the direct election of the EC president, the Commission suggested that before and during elections, national political parties should make clear which European political party they were affiliated with and should make known which presidential candidate they supported.

Next year’s elections will be the first held under the Lisbon Treaty, which enhances the role of the EU citizen as a political actor in the EU.

The treaty also strengthens the EP’s powers, consolidating its role as co-legislator and giving it more responsibilities.