European elections will increase democratic legitimacy of the European Commission President
Date
13 Mar 2014
The Report on the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty with respect to the European Parliament (EP) stresses the need to reinforce the Commission's democratic legitimacy, independence and political role.
Paulo Rangel’s Report urges the European Council to take the results of the elections into account and honour the citizens' choice when nominating the proposed candidate for the position of President of the European Commission. The Report also foresees that the candidate will need to present the next term’s policy guidelines for discussion to the European Parliament before getting the job.
The text also suggests that Commissioners should, as much as possible, be selected amongst the elected Members of the EP and that the new President-elect of the Commission should be more autonomous when selecting the College of Commissioners.
European Commission to function more efficiently
Rangel’s Report takes a further view with additional measures for the more effective functioning of the Commission - without prejudice to the right to appoint one Commissioner per Member State - by suggesting the appointment of Commissioners without portfolio or the establishment of a system of Vice-Presidents with responsibilities over major thematic clusters and with competences to coordinate the work of the Commission in the corresponding areas.
The Report also urges the next Convention to consider how the Commission is formed in order to reinforce its democratic legitimacy and calls on the next Commission President to consider how its composition, construction and political priorities will strengthen policy which is close to the citizens. In addition, it suggests that the next Convention should envisage a reduction of the number of votes required to apply a motion of censure against the Commission.
This important Report was approved by the EP in plenary with 298 votes in favour, 102 votes against and 25 abstentions.
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 274 Members from 27 Member States.
MEP Contacts
Paulo RANGEL
BRU - Tel: +32 (0)2 2845263 Fax: +32 (0)2 2849263
STR - Tel: +33 (0)3 88 175263 Fax: +33 (0)3 88 179263
Press Contacts
Francisco Correia Da Silva
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