Brussels, 04/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 4 July, the European Parliament adopted a number of recommendations to improve the European elections that will be held from 22-25 May 2014. In the non-legislative resolution of Andrew Duff (ALDE, United Kingdom), which was comfortably adopted (507 votes for, 120 against, with 18 abstentions), MEPs expressed their wish that, on their ballot papers and campaigning material, national parties mentioned the European party they belong to. MEPs said that the different national parties should ensure that the names of candidates are made public at least six weeks before the elections or by the beginning of April 2014 at the latest. They said that this would encourage more women - though they did not pass an amendment on gender parity - and for citizens living in a member state other than their own to be included in the lists. Parliament is also insisting that political parties “adopt democratic and transparent procedures” in the selection of their candidates for the European Parliament elections and the Commission presidency.
Political parties must make a reference to the candidate they support for the post of European Commission President, state MEPs, who also want these parties to nominate their candidates “sufficiently early” so that they can carry out their election campaigns at a European level on Community issues. The candidate for the Commission presidency proposed by the party that wins most seats in the elections should be the first whose candidacy is examined for the post because this person will be most likely to win the support of the absolute majority needed at the European Parliament.
MEPs do not want member states to publish the official results before all voting stations in the EU are closed on 25 May. They are also calling on member states to campaign to encourage citizens to go pout and vote and do what is needed to “efficiently” implement measures agreed to allow citizens who wish to exercise their right to vote and are eligible to vote in member states where they are not nationals.
The rapporteur, Andrew Duff, said that “MEPs showed that they intend to take seriously their new duty to elect the new Commission President. We are committed to fighting the election campaign on European issues with the parties led by champions who aspire to succeed Mr Barroso. This will personalise and dramatise the elections as never before, giving the voters a better idea of what is at stake in the European Parliament elections”. Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship affirmed that “I strongly welcome the European Parliament's action to improve participation in the next European elections and reinforce the direct role of EU citizens in Europe's democracy”, adding that, “on the daily lives of EU citizens, Europe matters more than ever. It is therefore essential that citizens have their say as the European Union develops and moves forward”. (CG/transl.fl)