Today, the European Parliament’s plenary session is voting on the EU’s reformed electoral law. The report going to a vote proposes adding 28 transnational seats to Parliament, on top of the current 705 seats. Under this system, voters would cast two votes in European elections: one for a national party and one for a European party. JEF Finland supports introducing a dual-list system for European elections.
“The proposal currently before Parliament to reform the electoral law is historic. Introducing transnational candidate lists would bring Parliament’s political dynamics, and the issues that concern all Europeans, more clearly into voters’ awareness. This would strengthen European democracy”, comments JEF Finland’s President Risto Rajala.
With transnational candidate lists, Europe-wide issues would gain a stronger presence in European elections. At the same time, regional representation in Parliament would be preserved, since no national seats would be given up. The reform would reinforce the sense that MEPs are equally accountable to all EU citizens.
“Right now, voter turnout in European elections is alarmingly low, even though Parliament makes decisions that matter for the whole EU. Corrective action has to be taken. Transnational candidate lists wouldn’t weaken the mandate or standing of nationally elected MEPs – if anything, they would bring more attention to their vital work”, stresses Rajala.
Once approved, the reformed electoral law would take effect before the next European elections, held in 2024. Before that, however, it still needs the unanimous approval of all member states in the Council. The risk is that even if the reform is approved in Parliament, some member state could block it at the final stage.
“The European Parliament is a wonderful institution and a genuine global pioneer in democracy and openness. Now is the time to take the next step and reform the electoral law to advance European democracy, citizens’ political participation, and openness going forward”, concludes Rajala.