With the crisis, sky-high unemployment and a series of emergency bailouts, there is a popular perception that the European Union’s decision making lacks proper legitimacy, efficiency and scrutiny.
Some people might feel angry and demand changes.
They shouldn’t feel helpless: the good news is that there are ways to make such changes.
The European Parliament has already made its mark as a political player ready to challenge pre-conceived notions and shape decisions that affect your life: from EU spending and regulating banks to employment rights, road safety, roaming charges – even the air you breathe.
Over the past few years, Parliament has shown itself both ready and able to take the will of the people on board and uphold their interests. It has resisted attempts – by other EU institutions, by governments – to water down new rules.
It has obtained more rights for citizens, more democratic scrutiny and more transparency, most notably with shaping the EU’s fledgling economic governance system and in improving data and privacy protection.
Capping bankers’ bonuses, pushing for a financial transaction tax, debating in public and rejecting the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta) or rejecting the banking data transfers to the US via the SWIFT network are but a few recent examples.
The European Parliament wants to go even further in acting as an agent of change, in doing things better.
It can also do things differently if that is the outcome of the ballot box. That power lies with you.
You, EU voters, are exclusively entrusted with determining the political majorities in the European Parliament, which will set the course for forging new rules, challenging policies and leading the debate.
The European Parliament has grown to become arguably Europe’s most transparent and influential Parliament
Over the years, the European Parliament has grown to become arguably Europe’s most transparent and influential Parliament, but it is vital that this influence is based on the will of the largest possible number of Europeans.
This time the European elections will be different, and your voices will be more empowering than ever before.
For the first time, by voting in these elections, the people of our 28 countries will not only determine Parliament’s majorities, but also directly influence the decision on who will lead the European Commission – the ‘EU prime minister’, if you will – and thereby the political direction of the future EU government.
All this gives you the opportunity to take charge of your Europe.
Use your vote to send a message: we, the people, want to be in the driving seat of power, we want to be part of the European decision-making process on economy, finance, health, environment or liberty and justice.
The European Parliament is the chamber of European citizens, it makes your voice heard in the EU.
From every crisis one can emerge stronger. One good thing that makes us stronger could be that more and more people are becoming increasingly aware that what is decided in Brussels has a very real impact on their lives and that the EU is necessary to tackle future challenges.
This is what the information campaign that the European Parliament is launching aims to do: to raise awareness of the extent of the European Parliament’s influence.
This campaign, with the slogan Act.React.Impact, will lead up to the European elections of May 22-25, 2014, and, after that, to Parliament choosing the President of the European Commission and approving his or her political agenda.
Otmar Karas and Anni Podimata are European Parliament vice-presidents.