”What kind of democracy is this, when citizens have no say in the choice of their leaders?”
“European citizens would not be so cynical if they were regularly invited to choose the people who run European affairs. We need real campaigns, dealing with European issues, just as in national elections.”
These and a number of other interesting thoughts are put forward by Charles Wyplosz in a comment on FT.com (18 June 2008): What dream will Europe dream now?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7238e13e-3d46-11dd-bbb5-0000779fd2ac.html
***
An increasing number of pro-Europeans voice their concerns over the plans to circumvent the Irish rejection of the Treaty of Lisbon, ignoring the demands for EU level democracy and accountability.
Regardless of the fate of the Lisbon Treaty, the leaders of the European Union seem set on a course towards ultimate failure.
Since the referendum in Ireland, my own thoughts have shifted in one aspect: Democratic accountability is more important than the technical merits of the proposed treaty.
Ralf Grahn
Sunday, 22 June 2008
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That is a quite profound shift of your opinion. But do you now believe that Lisbon should be scraped?
ReplyDeleteI mean in a general sense I agree with you. I also think that is is not clear enough how to influence decisions made in Brussels.
However, what realistic steps should now be taken to change that?
RZ,
ReplyDeleteWhat I have proposed is something I have compared with the US Bill of Rights, promised as a part of the ratification struggle and enacted when the Constitution entered into force.
Admittedly, the US Constitution was already based on democracy, but anyway:
The European Council would pledge democratic reform as part of the Lisbon Treaty package, as an addition, and the Lisbon Treaty would enter into force on an interim basis (if needed, between the ratifying states).
yes i am sorry I found the post where you discuss it. This is a really interesting approach.
ReplyDelete