The EU: the relative powers of the institutions & the democratic deficit

Definition of the democratic deficit A feeling that the key decision-makers are remote (geographically or politically) A sense that they do not understand the lives of citizens A lack of knowledge as to how decisions are reached (’mystery’) A belief that your votes does not count A view that the decision makers lack legitimacy (eg low turnout)

Attempts to tackle the democratic deficit… The direct election of the European Parliament (1973) The principle of subsidiarity (agreed in the Maastricht Treaty) Simpler legislation and better public information

The issue has arisen because of the distribution of power in the EU: The Commission The Commission used to be the most powerful body (unelected – but compare with the UK civil service). Initiates legislation, oversee the passage of legislation through the legislative process, implement legislation, Administers EU expenditure and collects revenue, Safeguards treaties Represents the EU abroad (eg trade negotiations) monitor the application of EU law in the member countries.

Powers: the EU Parliament (directly elected) Since 2009 (the Lisbon Treaty, 2007): can censure the College of Commissioners (remove them) Scrutinises the Commission through Select Committees Holds committees of inquiry (eg on extraordinary rendition by the CIA in 2006) Can amend/pass/veto legislation (through the ordinary legislative procedure) Can offer opinion on legislation in limited cases (but the Council of the European Union and the Commission can ignore) Can consent to the accession of new EU members Approves the EU budget

Powers: The Council of the EU Shares legislative powers with the EU Parliament (ordinary legislative procedure) Co-ordinates EU policy Develops foreign and security policy Helps initiate legislation

The European Council Heads of State nominate and vote on members of the College of Commissioners Discusses and votes on major EU issues and international affairs (eg refugee crisis) Sets the agenda and political direction for the EU Makes decisions on foreign and economic policy in the EU Launches new policy initiatives Agrees to treaty change

What could be done to further reduce the democratic deficit? The Commission could be democratised: the EU parliament could nominate commissioners or the public could vote for them The powers of the EU parliament could be increased: they could directly initiate legislation (but this would require giving up some parliamentary sovereignty in Westminster). The role of national parliaments could be increased: The House of Lords European Union Committee already acts as a ‘watchdog’ and subsidiarity already allows this. Europe wide referendums could be introduced: although this would prove complicated and expensive.

The UK & the EU Britain twice vetoed from EC membership (by the French): 1963 & 67 Joined the EC in 1973 Agreed to stay in after the 1975 referendum Thatcher objected to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): farming subsidies which benefitted France & Germany (which was created in 1962, but still operational) Thatcher demanded (and won) a rebate on UK contributions to the EU budget Thatcher argued against further European integration

The UK & the EU cont’d Major won an opt-out of the social chapter at the Maastricht Treaty negotiations; took Britain out of the ERM (preparations for the Eurozone) Blair agreed to the social chapter and introduced the HRA (1988) Blair (and Brown) supported British membership of the Eurozone (if the conditions were right) Cameron has argued for further repatriation of British powers; a British Bill of Rights; and an in/out referendum.

EU policy & the UK The EU provides: subsidies for farming; subsides for economic regeneration (eg Cornwall) through the European Regional Development Fund; free trade in Europe and beyond; Monitoring of environmental policy and consumer affairs Common foreign policy initiatives (eg Iran’s nuclear programme)

European Political Parties The European Parliament has 751 MEPs. Each member state has a number of MEPs based on population size. Germany, the largest state, has 96; the UK has 73; Malta has 6. MEPs sit in political groups in the European Parliament based, loosely, on ideological affiliation. The largest grouping is the European People’s Party (EPP) (221) is a centre right grouping; there is a Conservatives and Reformist Group (to which the UK Conservatives belong) (72); and a Socialists and Democrat Group (190) to which the UK Labour Party belongs.

European Political Parties cont’d MEPs are often divided in their loyalties between their constituents, their parties, their party grouping within the European Parliament and the wider interests of the EU. UKIP is currently the largest British party in the European Parliament, with 24 members. Occasionally its MEPs are torn between their desire to see Britain withdraw from the European Union, and the need to ensure the efficient and effective running of the EU. They are not the only Eurosceptic (against Europe) party within the EU.

EU Countries so far…. http://www.sporcle.com/games/Hejman/pay_your_union_dues