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YOUrope needs you:European Elections 2009!
Thursday, 7 May 2009 | posted by Chiara Palieri
The European parliament Election in June 2009 iscertainly the biggest trans-national election in history as 375 million European citizens in 27 countries are eligible to vote.
In addition,the election directive plays an influential role in development of the election by providing the necessary framework.However,the directive might lead to some disagreements between the Member States.
Firstly,there is a problem concerning the total number of MEPs.In present there are 785 MEPs after Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007.
Nontheless the number is not proportional to the population but this is submitted ti change with the 2009 election when there will be 736 MEPs.
And since the EU member state governments failed to ratify the Lisbon Treaty before the election,the election framework will be the one established by the Treaty of Nice.
But if the Lisbon Treaty will be ratified by the end of this year,in 2010 the number of MEPs could increase to 751.
In this case the importance of the EU Parliament will increase and so will the function of the MEPs.
The European Parliament would have more influence over legislation,the budget and other policies and would act more like a national government even though decisions would still be taken mainly by representatives of the 27 Member States.
According to article 3 of the Directive 'Member States must set a minimum threshold for the allocation of the seats.At national level this threshold amounts to 7% of votes cast'.
But since the turnout for the election is predicted to be 34%, the main problem raised with the election process is how efficient will it be?Can only 30% of the population decide for all citizens of the EU?
Secondly,the growing power that the Parliament should have after the June elections is conditioned by the voting turnout,essential in order to gain its popular legitimacy.According to article 1 of Directive 'Members of the European Parliament shall be elected on the basis of proportional representation,using the fixed party list system'.The main enemy of the proportional system is the lack of awarness of the elections as 75% of the Europeans do not know that the next elections will be held in June 2009.
On the other hand according to article 9 of the directive Austrian citizens over 16 can vote.Although this decision is related to the Austrian national constitution that allows people to vote from the age of 16,the usual voting age for EU citizens is 18.
This exception proves that voting turnout is a major concern of the EU.Moreover,the latest polls show that youth is not interested in the elections.
Very often,EU is felt far away from Europeans.But actually,if only there was more information about the priviledges and the occasions that EU citizen have,probably the voter turnout would be incredibly high.
Therefore the EU will face the challenge of making people aware of the importance of the EP elections and also stimulate the citizens to get involved in the decision-making process.
The fact that the Parliament will have more power also mean that the citizens can make a change in the development of the world politics through their representatives.
In addition, the election process is essential in consolidating the Parliament's position and make it more transparent in relation to the European citizens.
It's time to vote.Give your opinion,vote for your future!This is your Europe,my Europe,OUR EUROPE.
EUROPE:UNITED IN DIVERSITY.
Europeanly,
Chiara
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9 May 2009
Elections to the European Parliament will be held in the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) between 4 and 7 June 2009. 736 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be elected by proportional representation to represent some 500,000,000 Europeans, making these the biggest trans-national elections in history….
9 May 2009
If only 500,000,000 people would turn out to vote in the European Elections!
We’ll probably be lucky to see around 25,000,000 people if were lucky! The European Union has failed greatly at publicising anything about the campaign and the election!
Plus this year I should think the UK numbers will be really low, especially as it falls within the same week as local elections, which is an important moment for British politics!
I think during this election campaign we should be questioning the real values of European Ctizenship and what it actually means!?!?!
9 May 2009
Personally,i think the Uk is constantly out the EU,consciously.Therefore it’s not really a surprise if the voter turnout from the Uk is so low.
Europe,the real Europe is built on some fundamental principles.
It’s a question of individual responsibility.Feeling European is a choice.Therefore respect those who want to feel part of this union.
18 May 2009
What do you define as the real Europe? Should the European Union not be open to every country within the Geographic context of Europe? Could you kindly elabarote on your last sentence Chiara?
I personally have just got back from a week long course on European Citizenship, with 29 other Youth Workers from across Europe and it was a great experience an unforgettable one for that, but the one thing that was clear is that there is a lot of bad feeling amongst some European Countries, which is quite understandable especially with some circumstances! But the point is these people feel like Local, European and Global Citizens, just like us but the difference is I’m lucky to come from a member state of the EU. I have the right to vote and travel freely through EU Member states, but this isn’t a case for some 21 countries who can be denied access to travelling to EU Member States, they must also carry a visa to travel through half of Europe! Which us unfair and unjust! But the one thing we all have in common, is the fact we belong to the international organisation of the European Council which truly is an amazing organsiation, representing the true Europe! I personally hope that one day the European Union, will open it’s doors and represent the true Geographical Europe, not continue to stick in it’s old ways! Untill that day happens as some participants on the course stated, we cannot go on to teach others of European Citizenship, especially when it’s under construction! Therefore that is why I believe the EU, should be concentrating on these prinicipals alone, forgetting the old fundamental legislation and moving forward for the good of the true Geographical Europe!