Electoral Reform necessary

The European Movement International, meeting in Prague on 19-20 June, gave its first reaction to the European Parliament elections.

The EMI regrets that the European Parliament elections were characterized by national issues, the rise of the populism and a falling turnout.

The EMI believes that the newly-elected Parliament must now move quickly to re-assert the EU dimension by finding European solutions to Europe’s common problems, and asserting the role of Europe by speaking with one voice in world affairs.

In current critical circumstances, the EU needs a responsible European Commission with a broadly-based programme which addresses economic recovery, immigration, energy and climate change and the impact of the EU in the world as its top priorities. All five challenges require action plans at the federal level.

Therefore, the EMI asks the European Council to consult the newly-elected representatives of the European Parliament before formally nominating any candidate, thus respecting the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty.

Moreover, the Parliament should press ahead with its plans for the electoral reform, starting with the adoption of democratic and transparent procedures for the setting up of electoral lists, in order to achieve a European dimension of conducting the elections.

Overall, a better European-wide communication strategy is necessary in view of the next EP elections. The European political parties have to address the main questions coming from citizens in order for the media all over Europe to report and explain those issues.

European Movement International Federal Assembly, Prague 19-20 of June 2009