Nomination
of top-candidates in European Elections will spur voters‘ interest. „The nomination of
top-candidates for the post of Commission President by the European Parties for
the 2014 European Elections will personalize the election campaign and enable
citizens to directly choose the head of the EU’s executive. This will lead to
increased voters‘ interest and ultimately help the creation of a European
public sphere“, said Jo Leinen, President of the European Movement International (EMI),
after the Commission issued a recommendation with this regard to the European
Parties and the Member States.
„The European Movement International strongly welcomes Commission
Vice-President Viviane Reding’s support for similar calls by the EMI and the
European Parliament”, commented Jo Leinen.
„The political parties in the Member States must also
comprehensively inform the citizens about the program their top-candidates and
European political families stand for“, concluded Leinen.
The EMI
Federal Assembly unanimously adopted a
resolution calling for the nomination of top-candidates already in
November 2011 and repeatedly reaffirmed its position. The European Parliament took a similar
stance in November 2012.
Related Links:
- EMI Resolution – Nomination
of top candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission - EMI Press Release – Beyond the
Crisis: Achieving a Europe of Citizens, not only a Europe of States - EP Press Release – 2014
elections: give European voters bigger say on Commission, say MEPs