The vote and the future

Those who hoped that the long-lasting constitutional crisis of the European Union could be overcome with the enforcement of the Treaty of Lisbon by the end of the year were further encouraged on May 6, when the Senate of the Czech Republic gave its approval. With the new treaty – comprising the fundamental elements of the failed European constitution project – democracy, understood as the guiding principle of the political realm, would gain a pre-eminent role compared to diplomacy, which has been the prevailing approach to European questions until now. The union of States would gradually develop into the union of citizens. Thus, the question regarding the stature and profile of EU’s future leadership is ever more urgent. And considering that in the framework of trans-national democracy the European parliament is an ever-greater reservoir of EU leadership, this question gains further topical relevance to the light of the forthcoming European elections (June 4-7).In the framework of the democratic development of the European Union and considering the significance currently ascribed to its decisions, it is no longer possible to expect – not even to accept – that European Parliament candidates be proposed on the basis of preferences expressed by national political parties’ administration.In order to act in the interest of citizens, candidates should be chosen on the basis of the trust conveyed to them by their own party members. It ensues that the skill, the moral values and the beliefs they ascribe to their political activity are crucial. In the local, regional and national environments that nominate European elections’ candidates, it’s not always easy to identify the personalities that could best perform activities at European level. Normally, those who propose themselves as candidates have made a name for themselves at domestic level where they experienced their political social skills, while political experience at European level is rare.In order to prepare European officers for their future assignments, European party groups should focus on providing systematic training and direction. Corresponding earmarked EU budget funds have been available since 2003, following the adoption of a regulation on European political parties’ funding. While national member parties and related institutions provide further contributions.Moreover, universities, churches and civic bodies should also be tasked with this educational responsibility. This requires extending academic environments to encompass the European dimension of our reality, which doesn’t involve our future MEPs and EU Commissioners only, but also the new officers, tasked with numerous responsibilities within EU’s administration and legal framework, and in the management of institutions, associations, bodies and agencies pertaining to its political system. This effort will be rewarded, since the quality of the structure of European citizenry and the very quality of our future are at stake.