(Photo by: John Fera/Flickr) Is the creation of transnational political parties desirable in Europe today? Campaigns for European elections are nearly always held at the national level. Creating transnational lists may help to foster Europe-wide debates. The event will be the opportunity to ask whether transnational lists and transnational campaigns may emerge, what impact this may have on European politics and how transnational campaigns could be run. The main issues to be debated debated include:

• Would the emergence of transnational parties reinforce or weaken European democracy?
• Would it favour or hinder the ability of European institutions to push forward decision making?
• Would it increase the interest of citizens for European Parliament elections? Would it increase the feeling of belonging towards the EU?
• Would alter the European approach to solidarity and equality between countries and populations?
• Would it serve European citizens’ interest by ensuring that EU-Wide and transnational issues are discussed more in the public sphere?
• In what ways would transnational lists change the policies of European political parties?

Programme 13.00 – 14.00 Is the creation of transnational parties desirable? What are the practical, legal and political steps towards transnational elections in Europe? 14.15- 15.15 Transnational issues in Europe: social Europe, foreign policy, gender equality. Confirmed Speakers Michael Schwarfswerdt, coordinator of the German Green MEPs, European Parliament Rainder Steenblock, ex coordinator of the Greens at the Bundestag on EU affairs Sarah Seeger, Centre für Angewandte Politikforshung Janina Thiem, Mannheimer Zentrum für Europäische Sozialforschung Gert Weisskirchen, SPD, MP Bundestag until March 2009 The event takes place on the 9th December 2009, at the European Commission representation in Berlin: Unter den Linden 78 from 1pm-3.30pm Free of charge and free access This event is part of a transnational project on European democracy and elections supported by the European Parliament that takes in six European countries: Poland, France, Italy, Spain, the UK and Germany. For more information please contact Ségolène Pruvot, s.pruvot(a)euroalter.com