The question posed in this paper relates to the latest EU-Commission President Elections and the European Parliament's role in them. The examination of this question is imperative since recent literature on the subject has regarded the situation of the democratic deficit within the Union as simply "putting a little more weight" on the average's citizen's vote by convincing them that they are also voting for not just national representatives, but for Commission President, as well.
Unfortunately, this is a matter usually ignored in today's studies on the subject. This paper, therefore, describes the whole election process and explains the election process in 2014 (Jean-Claude Juncker), all specifications, all differences and circumstances. However, it gives some interesting conclusions on what the EP's real motivation was?
However, it is not clear whether it was power, policy or democracy. If we take for granted that different motivations might have existed, and ask why the European Council accepted the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure, we will reach some interesting conclusions. Formally, the Council is in charge of nominating the Commission president, and member states until then have always wanted to keep this privilege. Hence, exploring the issue what important member states said about the EP's initiative, how they reacted, and why some of them in the end gave their assent will be beneficial for the essay.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The election process
- The motives behind "Spitzenkandidaten"
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the latest EU-Commission President Elections and the role of the European Parliament in them, particularly focusing on the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure introduced in 2014. The paper aims to shed light on the motivations behind this change and its implications for European democracy.
- The introduction of the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure
- The motivations behind the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure
- The impact of the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure on the election process and European democracy
- The role of the European Parliament and the European Council in the selection process
- The significance of the 2014 elections and the role of the "Spitzenkandidaten"
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the European Commission and the process of nominating and electing its president, highlighting the historical development of the role and the significance of a strong president in a time of political challenges. The chapter introduces the "Spitzenkandidaten" campaign as a counter-revolution in institutional politics and details the traditional approach to choosing the commission president.
- The election process: This chapter focuses on the 2014 elections and the introduction of the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure. It describes the procedure's origins, its intention to resemble national-level elections, and its potential for popularizing democracy in Europe. The chapter also discusses the reactions of various political actors to the "Spitzenkandidaten" system, including the Prime Minister of the UK, the German Chancellor, and the European Parliament.
- The motives behind "Spitzenkandidaten": This chapter delves into the motivations behind the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure. It examines the claims of increased democracy and transparency in the EU's executive branch, while also exploring the possible shift of power and authority between European institutions. The chapter also considers the impact of the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure on the perception of European democracy and the "democratic deficit" in the EU. It examines the challenges faced by the chosen president, including member state pressure and the potential for the European Parliament to assert its influence.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this paper include: EU-Commission President Elections, European Parliament, Spitzenkandidaten, democratic deficit, European democracy, institutional politics, European Council, member states, 2014 elections, political parties, and the European Union's political system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure?
Introduced in 2014, it is a process where European political parties appoint lead candidates for the position of EU Commission President, linking the election outcome of the European Parliament directly to the head of the executive.
Who was the first EU Commission President elected via this procedure?
Jean-Claude Juncker was the first Commission President elected following the "Spitzenkandidaten" process after the 2014 European Parliament elections.
Why did the European Council accept the lead candidate system?
The paper explores the motivations behind the Council's assent, analyzing whether it was a move towards more democracy or a result of institutional pressure and political shifts between member states and the Parliament.
How does this procedure address the "democratic deficit" in the EU?
By allowing citizens to indirectly vote for the Commission President through their choice of political parties in the EP elections, the procedure aims to increase transparency and the weight of the average citizen's vote.
What was the role of the European Parliament in this change?
The European Parliament used the "Spitzenkandidaten" procedure as an initiative to assert more influence over the nomination process, which was traditionally a privilege of the European Council.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Silvia Stamenova (Autor:in), 2017, The latest EU-Commission President Elections and the role of the European Parliament, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/387416
