Seriously, I think the lack of control of the population on the Council in combination with the power it wields makes the EU constitution resemble some of the more conservative constitutions of the 19th century. A powerful upper house that is not controllable by the population holds the real power and then there is a parliament as a lower house for the rabble. Then you can ceremoniously blame the rabble every fifth year for not voting.
But second chambers were not included in the charts.
On the other hand if we view the parliaments in the charts as both chambers (if there is more then one) then the EU system resembles the German system or the monarchial systems without the figurehead. Was there a figurehead president in the constitution draft? A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
That was the intention.
the EU system resembles the German system or the monarchial systems without the figurehead.
Personally, I'd love if it would resemble the German system. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Takes a lot of squinting though. A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
The key point is that the Commission is not a government responsible to the Parliament, just as the Reich Chancellor was not responsible to the Reichstag under the Empire.
Some people may favour an elected House with more powers, but the mediocrities in the House of Commons are jealous of rival centres of power.
That would be yet another nonsensical Blair policy. guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper
In general the further a politician is from power the more likely he is to favour checks and balances on the executive and the elective dictatorship it exercises so long as it controls the House of Commons.
