European elections could be more attractive

The upcoming elections to the European Parliament could be made more attractive If voters had more to vote for, writes De Volkskrant newspaper. "People's interest in the elections would increase markedly, for example, if the Christian Democratic parties ... clearly stated that if elected they will make sure that the Christian Democrat José Manuel Barroso continues to head the Commission. ... And the elections would draw even more attention if the Social Democrats ... presented an alternative candidate (Tony Blair?). Even if such initiatives failed because the national parties couldn't agree on a European candidate, the stakes can still be raised on the national level. The Dutch government could promise in the run-up to the elections that its member of the European Commission would come from the party that receives the most votes in the Netherlands. ... In this way voters would know that their vote not only decides who represents them in the European Parliament, but also which Dutch person will succeed Neelie Kroes in the European Commission."

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