Brussels, 08/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a contribution to the work of the European Convention within which he represents the Irish parliament, John Bruton presses the case for a European Commission President elected by direct universal suffrage. A logical choice, says the former Irish Prime Minister, who affirms that such a method of election is necessary to guarantee the democratic participation of citizens at a time when one is planning to move from European construction at the stage of economic and monetary union to that of political union, a political union that would have an impact in the fields of justice and security, which would affect individual freedoms, and which, at the international scene, must address "the politically sensitive question as to how to organise our defence and security needs in a post September 11th World". "The citizens of Europe must feel that they can, through their vote, change the direction and the personnel in charge of European policy making", Mr Bruton states, adding: "The new constitutional treaty must create such a capacity. If it fails to do so EU policies will lack sufficient visible democratic mandate and the Union will founder". The real genius of the US system lies in the election of the president, Mr Bruton notes, going on to explain that such a system allows all Americans at the same time, every four years, to raise the same question: who has the best qualities for becoming the president of the United States? In support of his thesis, Mr Bruton cites Madison and even Montesquieu, but also stresses the growing popular support for such an election method according to a recent Eurobarometer survey conducted by the European Commission. Among other arguments, he considers that this election would strengthen the separation of powers between the institutions while assuring that they have the same degree of democratic legitimacy. Without going into all the details of such a method of election, Mr Bruton considers that the eligibility criteria should be limited in order to guarantee broad access to candidates. To validate candidature, a candidate recognised as eligible should obtain a certain number of signatures (Mr Bruton suggests this could be 20% of the members in five national parliaments and the EP). Election would take place at the same time as EP elections. Mr Bruton proposes a two-round majority ballot, the second round coinciding with the parliamentary ballot. After this election and the designation of the other members of the Commission, the EP would proceed to investiture of the College of Commissioners.