Making the European elections more democratic and boosting participation: Ground is prepared, say two Commission reports

Two months ahead of the European Parliament elections, two new reports were published by the European Commission on 27 March 2014. They provided an overview of the steps taken to make the elections more democratic and to bring European politics closer to citizens.

One report analysed how the Commission's recommendations for increasing the transparency and democratic legitimacy of the European elections, made in 2013, have been taken up by Member States and political parties. A crucial recommendation was notably to ask European political parties to nominate lead candidates for the post of President of the Commission.

The second report looked at the new communication tool of Citizens' Dialogues developed by the Commission over 18 months as an instrument to inform people, restore trust in European and national institutions and make citizens aware that their voice does count in the EU.

The publication of the two reports coincided with a Pan-European Citizens' Dialogue taking place in Brussels on 27 March 2014 with over 150 citizens from all over Europe.

ESO: Background information: Future of Europe debate: Pan-European Dialogue in Brussels brings together citizens from all EU countries http://www.europeansources.info/record/future-of-europe-debate-pan-european-dialogue-in-brussels-brings-together-citizens-from-all-eu-countries/

ESO: Background information: 2014 European Parliament Elections: Commission recommends that political parties nominate candidate for Commission President http://www.europeansources.info/record/2014-european-parliament-elections-commission-recommends-that-political-parties-nominate-candidate-for-commission-president/

ESO: Background information: European Parliament elections: Citizens should be able to stand as candidates in another EU country more easily http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-parliament-elections-citizens-should-be-able-to-stand-as-candidates-in-another-eu-country-more-easily/

ESO: Background information: 2014 European elections: national rules http://www.europeansources.info/record/2014-european-elections-national-rules/

ESO: Background information: New rules on funding EU political parties and foundations http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-new-rules-on-funding-eu-political-parties-and-foundations/

ESO: Background information: European Parliament: Election, May 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-parliament-election-may-2014/

ESO: Background information: The European Parliament’s election of the President of the European Commission http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-european-parliaments-election-of-the-president-of-the-european-commission/

European Commission: Special Eurobarometer 413: Future of Europe: Report (2014) http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_413_en.pdf

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