One President of the EU – a radical institutional solution for 2009

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Rating: 3.7/5 with 3 votes

Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 16:46
by jonworth Join PES activists in European democracy & diversity (667 views and 2 comments)

The European Parliament election is not the only significant EU politics question for the PES in 2009.

Candidates will also be chosen for the EU’s top positions – Commission President and the 26 Commissioners will take office in the autumn of 2009, and the 30-month President of the European Council and High Representative for Foreign Policy (aka EU Foreign Minister) both begin 1st January 2009 if the Treaty of Lisbon is ratified by then.



Rumour and speculation already surrounds the European Council position, with names such as Tony Blair, Jean Claude Juncker, Bertie Ahern and Anders Fogh Rasmussen supposedly in the running. The media is already calling this position “President of the EU”.
But hold on a moment. There is already a President position that is democratically accountable. The European Parliament, according to the Treaty of Lisbon, will elect the Commission President from 2009. Conversely, the President of the European Council will only be appointed by the 27 Heads of State and Government.

The EU needs to improve its democratic legitimacy, not damage it further by simply appointing a powerful person as President of the European Council.

The solution is for the President of the European Commission to also be President of the European Council – One President of the EU. That person would be accountable to the European Parliament and would guarantee institutional coherency. While not explicitly foreseen in the Treaty of Lisbon, this option is legally possible. Further details about the One President idea can be found at www.whodoicall.eu

Beyond that, once questions of democratic legitimacy have been clarified, the PES must look for suitable candidates for the top jobs, reflecting geographic and gender balance considerations – Poul Nyrup Rasmussen as candidate for President of the EU?

Tags: democracy, EU

Comments

1. President or President ? by chourka Join PES activists on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 11:57

I fully share John's concerns: the European Commission President is democraticaly elected by the Euro-Parliament and according to the Jacques Delors idea, it should be choosen from the political european party which won the Euro-election.

That is why designate our political leader to conduct the PSE lists for June 2009 is so crucial. 

As socialist, I am skeptical about Blair chairing the next European Council. He is much too far from the reality of millions of EU citizens (UK is not in the eurozone, not in Schengen, has plenty and diverse opts-out, etc) to fit the job despite the great PM he has been for GB. Being a magnificient Prime minister does not make you a good representative for Europe.

Personnaly, I am much more supportive of Bronislaw GEREMEK, Vaclav HAVEL or Joschka FISCHER to pretend at this position. It suits more to the general european psyche. 

2. reaction of lissabon by kim Join PES activists on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 13:50

I also do'nt like the media's view that this possition will be "the eu president", because of all the concerns of above.

But if you see lisabon than there will be there president. One for the parlaiment, the commission, and the counsil. Lissabon will also change a lot of the powers of these institutions. So if Lissabon is introduces only time will tell wich of these positions will be the real president;

 

I also agree that Blair is not the best option. But I think Blair will have it difficult because Belgium will not support him. And I think more coutry's will follow.

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