The European Parliament wishes to change election procedures
Members of the European Parliament debated on the reform of the electoral procedures during the October plenary session in Strasbourg. Concerning the issue Csaba Sógor added that, although the report acknowledges that there is a declining tendency in voter turnout at the European elections, and that the lack of interest regarding European issues threatens the future of Europe, the proposed measures may not be the most adequate solutions to the problem.
The European elections are primarily regulated by national legislation that varies from member state to member state, but are also defined by European directives in place since 1976. MEPs did not agree during the Tuesday evening debate on whether or not there is a need for a general reform of European regulations. The rapporteurs stressed the need to strengthen the democratic dimension of the European elections and to involve younger generations as well.
The rapport of Danuta Hübner (EPP, Poland) and Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) urges member states to follow the example of Austria, where the voting age has been lowered to 16 to ensure a growing electoral equality among EU citizens. The report also encourages Member States to adopt electronic voting via the Internet and voting via mail in order to make the voting procedures more accessible and increase participation.
In the opinion of RMDSZ MEP Csaba Sógor the European Parliament should not aim to increase voter turnout by artificial means, but should rather work towards regaining the trust and interest of EU citizens. He also expressed his concern about the impact on the further development of the EU of directly linking the EU election results to the election of the Commission President.
