The lack of democracy in the EU

The daily Le Monde comments on the European Union's democratic weaknesses: "How could the European Union be made more democratic and hence acquire more legitimacy among its citizens? Advocates of European unity have been asking this question ever since the European community project was born. But finding an answer is becoming an ever more urgent matter following the unsuccessful referendums in France, the Netherlands and Ireland. ... Were the European Union an international organisation like many others, the question of democracy would not even arise. The reason it is being asked is because the Europeans want to form a political community. A European public domain, which would link transnational parties with civil society, is currently still a thing of the future. For that reason it is up to the member states to get the debate going on European politics."

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