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Federalism
is the only way to ensure a democratic, competent and balanced
Commission
The
Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe)
welcome all efforts to promote a gender-balanced European Commission
as an important step towards a fair representation of the European
society while underlining that the legitimacy of the EU's executive
is first and foremost the fruit of a democratic and transparent
electoral procedure.
"The
mere fact that names of candidates pop up on the basis of national
considerations and deals behind closed doors in the Council shrouds
the appointment procedure in heavy mist," says JEF-Europe President
Philippe Adriaenssens. "The current secretive process can not be
properly scrutinised by the European public, media or even Parliament
and can only further diminish Europeans' trust in the EU, especially
after proposing the High Representative's position to a politician
with little experience in foreign affairs and no history of ever
being democratically elected."
"In
order for the Commission to be more representative and closer to the
European citizens, all Commissioners have to be democratically
elected by the European Parliament on the basis of a visionary
political programme for future integration," said Julia Mikič,
JEF-Europe Executive Bureau Member.
"Federalism
is the only long-term cure to the current political ailments,"
explains Philippe Adriaenssens, presenting two vital reforms that
Federalists demand: "Establishing
transnational sections on European electoral lists on which the
Commission candidates could run and allowing
the European Parliament to elect the Commissioners before the Council
approves them."
These
reforms would have a threefold positive effect on the functioning of
the EU according to JEF-Europe: Firstly, they would drastically
increase the level of democracy and transparency of the electoral
process and thus the legitimacy of the EU's executive; Secondly,
individual Commissioners would be chosen depending on their European
commitment and competence in EU affairs and thus act solely in the
interest of the entire Union; Finally, the open process would
automatically generate a more diverse and balanced Commission without
any need for quota.
Philippe
Adriaenssens summarises: "JEF-Europe urges the European Parliament
and in particular its Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) and Women's Right
and Gender Equality (FEMM) Committees to strive for pro-federal
reforms in the electoral procedure if MEPs are serious in their wish
for a more democratic, competent and balanced Commission".
[ENDS]
PRESS
CONTACT:
Philippe
Adriaenssens, JEF-Europe President, president(at)jef.eu,
+32 472 33 41 27
Julia
Mikič,
Press Responsible, julia.mikic(at)jef.eu,
+385 91 524 54 21
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