More democracy in Europe

Le Monde analyses the significance for EU citizens of the European elections and the nomination process for the president of the European Commission laid out in the Treaty of Lisbon: "Apart from referendums, the elections to the European Parliament are the sole means for the citizens of the Union to directly express their opinions on questions regarding Europe. Certainly, the elections are often dominated by national problems, but they offer political parties a platform for a broad debate on the state of Europe. ... In France, as elsewhere, preparations for the elections in June 2009 have already begun. In 2009 the new Commission President will also be named. Why not use this twin event to make up for the European Union's ... 'democratic deficit'? ... Coupling the parliamentary elections with the battle for the Commission offers a double advantage: it would make the procedure more transparent, and the nomination of a president would no longer be choosing a person, but a policy."

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