Improving the spitzenkandidaten model

Abstract

The EU has been accused of not having an adequate degree of democratic control since the 1980s. This is no surprise given the way the institutions that binds the Community together were created. Europe’s democratic deficit came about as a result of the founding states wanting to focus on functionalism and the citizens of those states depending on permissive consensus. Decades after the establishment of the institutions of the European Community the rules have changed. Europe’s democratic deficit in this regards is seen in both a legal and political perspective. The EC and EP sought to solve the problem of accountability and low election turnout through the spitzenkandidaten model. While it left a mark in the 2014 election the extent of its significance are up for debate. What there has to be for sure is an extensive debate on to improve the spitzenkandidaten model and with it improve Union democracy. This can only be done if two main routes are taken, by developing the public sphere and going for official institutional change. Completing either, will take a lot of will and energy given the interests of the states and national parties. Yet, the results could be fruitful as there is a thirst to know more about the EU.