The European Parliament Election: What Is at Stake?

Between 4 and 7 June 2009 almost half a billion of EU citizens can vote for a new European Parliament. The expectations are that the interest of voters will be minimal: according to the recent Eurobarometer, about half of the potential voters is not interested, with the countries of Eastern and Central Europe scoring highest. After the fiasco concerning the European Constitution and its successor the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union seems to be farther removed from its citizens than ever. Whereas former European elections were often used by voters to react on national questions, this time the financial crisis will also play a decisive role. It is feared that many EU citizens regard the EU as part of the problem rather than part of the solution. Apart from low participation, the greatest danger for the vulnerable EU democracy is the likelihood that more right-wing, populist and eurosceptic parties will enter the European Parliament involving the risk that its functioning will be seriously hampered. In case of ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, the parliament will get more competences, amongst which the right to directly elect the president of the Commission. This is a further step towards the long called for democratisation of the EU decision processes and it could potentially increase the interest of the citizens, but what would it mean if election participation and election results undermined the legitimacy and credibility of the parliament? What is really at stake at the EP elections in June 2009 and what can be done to save the EU’s credibility?