Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-11-22-Speech-4-011-000"
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"en.20121122.6.4-011-000"2
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"Madam President, elections to the European Parliament are always a highly significant moment for the Union and the 2014 elections come at a particularly critical time. The Commission has always supported every effort to reinforce Parliament’s legitimacy. This is not only in the interest of all EU institutions, but above all in the interest of EU citizens. The direct representation brings a crucial element of legitimacy for the actions of the EU. What we need today more than ever are pan-European debates, a better understanding of what is at stake, higher voter turnout and also a more direct link between the election result and the leadership of the Commission.
In his State of the Union address in September, Commission President Barroso called on European political parties to present their candidates for the post of Commission President at the European Parliament elections in 2014. A commitment from the political parties to take this step would further reinforce the European dimension of these elections. This can be done without a Treaty change, as the Treaty says that the European Council, when proposing a candidate for Commission President to the European Parliament, must take the elections to the European Parliament into account. This is therefore something which should be put into practice with immediate effect.
Concerning gender balance, you know that the Commission actively promotes gender equality; however, you address your call for gender balance in the next College to the future Commission President, therefore you will certainly understand that it is not for this Commission to discuss the future President’s actions.
Regarding the precise dates of the European elections in 2014, it would be unfortunate if they negatively affected the turnout. If the Council adopts a decision proposing a different date for the European Parliament’s elections, the Council and Parliament, which has to be consulted in line with the amended Electoral Act of 1976, should ensure that clarity about the date is provided as soon as possible.
The need for a stronger political Union with more accountability and democratic legitimacy of decisions taken at European level is and must remain at the centre of all debates on the future of the EU. The role of this Parliament is of crucial importance in this context."@en1
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