Brussels, 12/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - The draft reform of the electoral law of the EU, which the European Parliament adopted on Wednesday 11 November, sets in stone the process for appointing 'Spitzenkandidaten' who could even head up the transnational lists, for the European elections of 2019.
In the legislative proposal presented on their own initiative, the MEPs adopted, by a small majority (360 votes in favour, 237 against and 27 abstentions), the joint amendment of the 'grand coalition' of the European Parliament made up of the EPP, S&D and ALDE groups, which calls on the Council of the EU to “decide by unanimity on a joint constituency in which lists are headed by each political family's nominee for the post of President of the Commission”. Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany), co-rapporteur with Danuta Hübner (EPP, Poland) on this dossier, welcomed the adoption of this “very innovative idea introduced at the last minute”, on Thursday 12 November.
According to the EP, the European political parties will appoint their candidate at least 12 weeks before the date of the elections and, in the event of victory, these 'Spitzenkandidaten' will chair the European Commission. This was the case with the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker to the head of the European institution following the victory of the Christian Democrats in the European elections of 2014.
This increased level of ambition regarding the transnational lists compared to previous discussions on the draft report was made possible by an agreement reached with the Liberals (see EUROPE 11414 and 11420). With this agreement, the plenary adopted the amendment of the rapporteurs on the creation of a minimum threshold - between 3% and 5% - of the votes in order to be elected a member of the European Parliament in the countries with at least 26 MEPs elected on the basis of lists. If this provision is definitively adopted by the European legislator, Spain and Germany would have to make changes to their election legislation.
The MEPs argue that all candidates should be appointed 12 weeks before the elections, genuine parity between men and women should be respected in appointing the candidates and the logo of the European parties should feature on the ballot slips alongside the logo of the national party.
Informal talks will start between the EP and the Council, possibly next week. The member states must show their willingness to move forward or justify their preference for the status quo, with election turnout still very low, said Leinen. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)