The European Union is entering a new era of more openness and greater power for the European Parliament, the only truly transnational elected body of the European Union.
Currently, the Parliament grills the Commission President each month at 'President's Question Time'. But what about the 'other' President? The President of the European Council's job is to set the 'political direction and priorities' of the EU, as head of the European Council. He, too, should face the Parliament and take into account its views and priorities.
European Alternatives demands the establishment of a dedicated Question Time strengthening the relation between the elected European Parliament and the new President of the European Council.
How would it work?
The European Union has given itself a new President and a new Foreign Minister. But the nominees have been highliy contested today. The new appointments seem peculiarly low-key and the secretive selection process has done nothing to shed away accusations of lack of democratic accountability.
Two of our regular commentators disagree on the reading of the results.
The new president of the European Council is being selected in a thoroughly undemocratic way. Whoever it is should be accountable to the people of Europe, with a question time in the European Parliament as a minimum first step. European Alternatives launches a campaign for Presidents answerable to the People!
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