Analysis of the Result of the European Parliament Elections - Term Paper Example

Running head: A POLICY REPORT PROVIDING A CRITICAL REVIEW ON THE RESULT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS A policy report providing a critical review on The Result Of The European Parliament Elections Introduction It is observable that the European parliament is the sole institution which is directly elected into office on the basis of a strictly European mandate. In a sharp contrast, the European council that represents the member states on a ministerial capacity is primarily elected by the different national mandates. The mandate of the European commission is to pursue the union’s interest though its membership as designated by the capitals of the nations. As a result of this, criticism has been faced from those who argue that the union executive is extremely powerful though it is unelected. Of the entire member states, it is the responsibility of each member state to decide on how to organize the European election in their territory. But the major routine is to organize them democratically. The system also observes a form of proportional representation. In addition to this, the minimum age is set at 18. Sex equality is also accounted for as is the secret ballot mode of elections (EurActiv.com, 2008). Seats are proportionately divided in regards to population size of the member states. Germany, the most populous of all the states enjoys the biggest number of seats which stands at 99. The minimum number of seats is held by Malta, which possesses five seats. In total, the current number of MEPS stands at 785, which is in excess of the proposed number by the present Nice treaty. Female MEPs that were elected in the year 2004 represented a 30.2 percent proportion of the total membership (EurActiv.com, 2008). The 2009 European Union elections were bound to bring with them some form of uncertainty. This is on the basis of the rejection of the Lisbon treaty in Ireland. Having failed to ratify the treaty, the implication is that the June elections will be held under the old Nice treaty. The impact of this is to be reflected on the number of seats that are allocated to member states. If this becomes the scenario, then major disruptions to the organization would mar the elections at the national levels. This would be so because it would not be clear which number of seats would be up for the taking. Such wrangles are never appropriate because they serve to derail the developmental agenda of the region. This should be sorted out in the soonest possible time in order to enhance the developmental objective. Currently, the Nice treaty provides for 736 seats after the 2009 elections. On the ratification of the Lisbon treaty, the number would shoot to 751. A rising number of seats may serve to quell dissenting voices. While it may be necessary to increase the number of seats, the criteria of size should remain the deciding factor. Given member states value so much the power that accompanies the number of seats held, the matter is an important aspect. As is indicated during the Lisbon treaty negotiations, Germany was raising her voice to have her population size adequately reflected in the seat allotment (EurActiv.com, 2008). On the other hand, the UK and France were expected to scale down their respective seat numbers. Satisfaction as a result is difficult to meet. However, the allotment ought to reflect the strength in numbers and not member state preferences. The EU enlargements have been increasing the number of serving MEPs and the powers of parliament to substantial levels as captured in the recent EU treaties. Surprisingly voter apathy has accompanied this. The turn out in the union elections have been marked by a low voter turn out in recent times. The year 2004 marked a record low of 45.6 percent. This could explain why ruling parties in respective countries suffered huge losses on major issues. Measures enlisting the support of the voters should be enhanced if the citizenry are to own policy issues in the EU. As from the year 1979, the European parliament has been in a step by step and rather consistently, been increasing its political power base. This trend receives credence on the way new treaties emerge to confer the powers (EurActiv.com, 2008). The co-decision power whereby the parliament legislates at an equal level with the union council of ministers has been extended to almost all spheres of the European Union policy making. Increasing powers may be necessary, but if the citizens are not incorporated into it, the system may not offer much. This is to legitimize the exercise. From this position, it is visible that the European Union citizens have gained a more direct control in the day to day working of the organization. This follows that, when a people’s legislature is empowered, the people themselves are indeed empowered. To illustrate this, the people who form the citizenry are the ones that vote contestants into the European parliament. It is believed that those chosen by the voters are the ones that represent the views of the people. As a result, people are more able to influence policy decisions. A look at the national impact of the European Union legislation indicates how the European parliament has gained supremacy over time. A closer scrutiny shows that member states have leaned towards borrowing from the European Union. According to an estimation, 60-80 percent of country legislations draw from the European Union. This shows that the European Union influences the people’s lives. Yet, most of the people do not participate in the elections. This could be dangerous, because in a sense, other people who form a lesser percentage determine the destiny of the whole union’s citizenry. The European parliament has also grown to be assertive and more confident towards its area of operation. As a demonstration, in 1999, the parliament forced the Santer commission to resign. This is in support of the above realization that the union parliament has been gaining power. This increases the importance that is attached to elections (EurActiv.com, 2008). For one, it should serve as a wake up call to the citizens to take the elections seriously. On the other hand, experts in different fields of specialization are encouraged to venture into the political stage as contestants to the parliamentary posts. With the increasing power, there cannot be a better incentive. The European parliament has become a strong body that has executed its democratic mandate in the union. Through checks and balances, the parliament has increased its stature within itself and the whole system as a whole. The above presentation serves as a theoretical basis that justifies the European Union elections. However, the ever falling voter turn out in the member countries is a call for concern. This may be an indicator of the irrelevance of their votes in respect to decision making. For one, voters who feel that the parliament decisions do not reflect their wishes may be made to distance themselves from the exercise. Other considerations could be personal, in this case, the voters may not see the impact of their votes or they may simply remain aloof. It is questionable how a percentage of less than the half mark can decide the fate of a people. This poses a legitimacy question. If less people are electing leaders, do they have the citizenry mandate to rule? Democratically, it may be acceptable in as far as the popular candidate wins but this casts aspersions on the representation aspect of it. European Union elections are highly fought over mainly on national issues. Mostly, academics and politicians crucially consider them as secondary consideration issues. This may offer an explanation on the low voter turnout. In effect, the vast majority of the voters remain in the dark over the policy agenda and wrangles that belie the European Union. As an outcome, the national out stages the European one. To clarify this, there is no European political space to talk about. The national voters also use these European elections to settle political scores with the establishments in their countries. This further attests to the weak politicization of the union among member states. Consequently, politicians, lean to base their campaigns on issues of national importance than the ones affecting the union. This has been blamed on the way in which the European Union organizes its elections. On the contrary, national elections are organized in a different way where the election lists are set out on the basis of regional or national parties. The national parties that draw the lists are what matters as opposed to whatever kind of exemplary work that MEPs may offer. The common trend is also that European parties rely on the national parties (EurActiv.com, 2008). The wide spread perception among voters is that their votes do not count for much difference on major issues. This is a weak incentive to go to the polls. Dissociation with the polls is however a lame excuse. The best way is to seek alternative avenues is to effect change into the system. Complaints on the level of influence wielded by member countries have been a major bottleneck in as far as enlargement of the bloc is concerned. Tiny states are at even a more precarious position. France always rejects enlargement on the same basis. Lack of a political sphere has not hindered the development of a European assembly that is both large and representative. This is a positive sign that the elections seem to have achieved. At elections, voters still appear to select leaders on national interests. Parties remain surprisingly coherent in terms of policy issues. This coincides with the European left-right continuum of politics. So this harmony would further promote the development of the union. The European people’s party found it difficult in its attempts to unite the 72 sub-parties. However, the political wing of European parliament, EPP-ED, was able to secure consensus on the same, this amplifies the importance of the European parliament (EurActiv.com, 2008). Conclusion The European elections aim has been to proportionately represent the member countries in the European Union. Though complaints on composition in regards to equality of representation exist, through the elections, the European parliament has always been constituted over the past. The parliament has gone ahead to achieve much. Though some pertinent issues remain to be resolved, the European parliament elections have served as a model for other regions to follow. References EurActiv.com. (2008). European Union Elections Outlook for 2009. 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