Now
is the time to start the debate on how to better organise the 2019 European
primary elections and Spitzenkandidaten system, especially in light of the
forthcoming European political party congresses later this year.
The
elections to the European Parliament are still highly dominated by national
electoral rules and national debates, despite the fact that the Treaty of Rome
in 1957 already envisaged the possibility for the elaboration of a uniform
electoral procedure based on direct universal suffrage.
The
primary elections in several European political parties and the Spitzenkandidaten
debates in 2014 were the latest innovations in this context. They were a good
‘first run’ and helped shape the debate in many EU member states, especially
those with a contending Lead Candidate, or where national media covered the
overall process and televised presidential debates.
The
new system is not without its critics but it uncontestably landed Jean-Claude
Juncker at the helm of the EU’s executive. The link between the lead candidate
from the biggest EP political party after the elections and EU’s top job has
clearly been established. But it also showed that there is room for
improvement, especially if this system is to help citizens to better connect
with EU policymaking.
European
parties have a responsibility to the European citizens. It's a real
responsibility to propose mechanisms for connection, whether primary elections,
Spitzenkandidaten or better transparency in internal party mechanisms.
At
a recent EurActiv Institute roundtable debate senior representatives of
political parties and political foundations indicated - in large majority -
that they wanted to see the new system go forward, while pointing to a number
of shortcomings that would need to be addressed.
And
the debate within the European institutions has also started. Danuta Hubner and
Jo Leinen, two members of the European Parliament, are jointly drafting a
report on EU electoral law reform due for a plenary vote in October this year.
One
year on from the 2014 elections, and well ahead of the next elections in 2019,
now is the time to start asking the questions that should be debated by the
European political foundations and the European political parties, especially
in light of their forthcoming congresses later this year (i.e. PES in June, EPP
in October and ALDE in November).
Here
are the points that should be addressed:
-Establishing
a framework in which transnational political parties can attract funding to
allow them to run pan-European campaigns. Some national parties have funds up
to 100 times higher than their European party equivalents. Direct membership to
the European parties or lump sum campaign budgets from the Community budget are
two possible, non-exclusive ways;
-Agreeing
on a system of Transnational lists to represent the European dimension in the
European electoral system, for it to be confirmed in the next round of EU
Treaty change;
-Harmonising
the voting systems in Europe on several points, i.e. to take into account
common procedures for EU citizens to vote from abroad and to avoid double
voting;
-Setting
a clear timetable with deadlines for lists at national level, Lead
Candidate nominations, primary elections and lead candidate debates;
-Defining
of the term Lead Candidates, with minimum standards on who can stand and how
they are nominated.
Let's
be honest, it would be a shame if in 2019 we realise that a lack of preparation
had caused us to miss a chance to improve the European Primaries and Spitzenkanditen
system. Putting the respective European political party logos on the European
Election ballot papers, as suggested by some, is a good idea but clearly not
enough to unlock the full potential of EU democracy.
Dan
LUCA & Dominique OSTYN / Brussels
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