European elections: 33% turnout predicted | 27 comments (27 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 1)

And he is unelected...

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 06:13:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 0)

Not any more or less than most Prime Ministers...

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 07:39:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 1)

Well, he's not even appointed by the European Parliament.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 08:42:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 1)

In Spain it is the King who appoints the PM, in France the PM is appointed by the President and then the whole government is confirmed by the parliament... In the UK, the PM is appointed by the queen...

The power to accept or not a nomination, which the EP has if I'm not mistaken, is a power to appoint in effect. If the EP chooses to take that power.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 09:09:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 1)

It would be rare for the King, Queen or President to not appoint the (list) leader of the largest party, known beforehand. The Council has much more freedom picking the Commission President.

Then again, without a Grand Coalition in the EP... different developments would have been possible.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 09:18:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 1)

But then, the problem is that the European political scene is pretty much without strong parties ; in France in the third or fourth republics, choosing the PM among various possible candidates was the most important role of the President. Yet he had to choose one that suited the parliament. Right now the Council doesn't give a damn about the Parliament.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 09:23:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 0)

The Council is, itself, like the Senate (very much like the German Bundesrat in that the States' presidents actually sit on it, or like the Swiss Federal Council). It is a coequal organ with the Parliament and so can ignore it.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 09:31:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 1)

Without strong parties? I'm afraig the EPP is not only the largest by MEPs and State governments but also the one that is starting to act strategically about placing their own at the top of EU institutions. (And Blair is now clearly a Christian Democrat even if he's nominally PES)

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 09:34:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: European elections: 33% turnout predicted (none / 0)

What's the voter discipline like for EPP MEP's ?

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Tue Apr 14th, 2009 at 09:46:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

European elections: 33% turnout predicted | 27 comments (27 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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