European Parliament explores link between citizenship and electoral procedures

4.00.00pm GMT Tue 25th Mar 2008

Today the European Parliament began the first step in an ambitious plan to reform the electoral procedure of the European Parliament. In a workshop, organised by the Constitutional Affairs Committee, experts were invited to give their views on questions concerning the relationship between EU citizenship and nationality, the possibility of creating a trans-national constituency, and other matters aimed at boosting the popular legitimacy of the European Parliament after successive falls in voter turn-out.

The European Parliament is required by the Treaty of Rome to draw up proposals for a uniform electoral procedure. Attempts have been made in the past and progress has been made in so far as all countries now use one form or another of proportional representation. However the 27 national systems still vary considerably in the criteria, eligibility and age of candidates and voters, nomination procedures, thresholds for election, cost for nomination and scope for the electorate to choose from party or candidate lists.

The matter is due to be taken up in a report by Andrew Duff MEP (UK, Lib Dem) who said: "Parliament has not looked at its electoral procedure for over ten years. With our many new powers under the Treaty of Lisbon, it is vital that Parliament looks again at the basis of our democratic legitimacy and prepares to take new initiatives on reforms to boost turnout and to raise the level of party political debate."

"The process of reform promises to be both fairly lengthy and controversial."

ENDS