EU Democracy?
Margot Wallström is worried about democracy:
the question that needs addressing is exactly how can we take a stand, exactly how can we hold them accountable?
Why do we need openness and transparency? Because the right to know is just as important as the right to vote.
With respect Commissioner I would disagree, openness is not as important as voting, it is part of the democratic process but cannot be used to replace voting. You are of course right “It’s a question of democracy.”
But it is only part of the democratic process, the question that needs addressing is exactly how can we take a stand, exactly how can we hold them accountable?
It seems in your rush towards openness you have forgotten the voting bit!
The people of Ireland are voting this week, the only peoples of the EU to be allowed a vote on the Lisbon Treaty, but as they admit they are being forced to vote on a treaty they do not understand. Nevertheless your “they” will be bound to take notice of the result. Openness and transparency would have aided the Irish voter in coming to a reasonable decision, but it will be the voting bit that is in the end important. Well relatively important because the French and the Dutch voters have already rejected these proposals as they were presented in the EU Constitution.
Of course it is understood that it is the member states themselves who hold the key to referenda on this or any other treaty, it is however the EU which will claim it has a popular mandate from 500 million people, when in fact only up to 4 million would have had the opportunity to express an opinion.
Technorati Tags:
EU Democracy, Transparency, Lisbon Treaty
wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptMargot Wallström is worried about democracy: Transparency Why do we need openness and transparency? Because the right to know is just as important as the right to vote. With respect Commissioner I would disagree, openness is not as … [...]