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Germany and Poland: EU needs more democracy
Published: 18 Sep 12 13:49 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20120918-45039.html
EU heavyweight Germany and rising power Poland backed the idea of the 27-nation bloc's leaders being elected by its citizens, amid concerns about a democratic shortfall and euro-scepticism fuelled by the debt crisis.
- Germans less than ecstatic on EU and euro - Business & Money (17 Sep 12)
- Foreign Minister: play nice over euro crisis - Politics (31 Jul 12)
The 11-nation group is poised to submit a raft of recommendations to Herman Van Rompuy and Jose Manuel Barroso - heads, respectively, of the bloc's intergovernmental and executive branches, neither of whom are elected by the EU's 500 million people.
"We have to understand that we are a community of values and we have to defend our European model," Westerwelle told reporters.
"The debt crisis has become more and more a crisis of confidence," he said.
"I think it's decisive and very crucial that we bring more transparency and democracy into our European institutions and therefore I welcome the idea of direct elections in the European Union. I think this would a very good answer to the lack of confidence we have at the moment in the European Union," he added.
Westerwelle's Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski echoed his stance.
"We're looking at how to make Europe more democratic," Sikorski said.
"We have concrete institutional proposals. The direct election of the top leaders is one of those possibilities."
Besides Germany and Poland, the Future of Europe Group is made up of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said the direct election of EU leaders could be tied to the five-yearly ballot for the European Parliament.
"What we should do in the future is be more active to convince people that this Europe is really a good plan for their future and the future of their children. We should use more democratic instruments," he added.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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Your comments about this article:
"We're looking at how to make Europe more democratic,"
"I think it's decisive and very crucial that we bring more transparency and democracy into our European institutions"
All the member countries of the EU held a "direct" referendum to see if their people wished to be a member in the EU? Is that correct?
Referendum: Do you want to pay more or less taxes?
Referendum: Do you want to get more benefits from your country?
Referendum: Should UK stop using pound beacose of its economy weaknest?
Referendum: Do you want Hitler to run Germany?
Referendum: Do you belive Germans are better humans than Greece people?
Referendum: Do you want year to have 36 months?
Referendum: Do you want to print for every one 1000 euro per month? Yes some people in Germeny have this kind of idea.
Referendum: Do you want to people direct decide about everything, or they should only chose a leader they trust to decide.
Forget the press brainwashing.
Do you trust more Merkel or Cameron?
Be aware, Beacose you can get your referendum.
Not like brits who didn't get referendum about Irack war, they start war without referendum can you imagine that? Can you understand that? Decision about start of war was not important?
Do you like evil EU who still your many, and want destroy your personal life, eu is spread the cancer, is dictatorship, and the reason of whole evil of this word? Look like answer is easy for some.
Do you know Mardoch, he can push people to belive in lies and vote, like all of them.
Sorry about my english, it is sadly not my strong point. I will like more people to understand every information is sold.
I wish they will change EU for better, offcorse with bypass UK veto.
I am just human, and i like idea of europe.
No, I'm afraid Germany never had any referendum about joining the EU, nor on any of the treaties or the constitution.
The French and Dutch were allowed to vote on the constitution though, they voted NO but their votes were ignored and over ridden by the elites in Paris and the Hague.
To talk of a community of values, while at the same time denying the same, to those not in a position to defend themselves,
is hardly a sign of character, or being trustworthy.
Europe would be much better off without such politicians.
"they start war without referendum can you imagine that? "
Where on Earth do you come from? because please do inform the rest of us as to which country held a referendum on any war in history .
I await you answer as I am curious ,thanks.