The sense and nonsense of Eurozone level Democracy

The Royal Institute for International Relations is an independent think-tank based in Brussels. Its interdisciplinary research is conducted in a spirit of total academic freedom. Drawing on the expertise of its own research fellows, as well as that of external specialists, both Belgian and foreign, it provides analysis and policy options that are meant to be as operational as possible.The democratic functioning of the EU has frequently been called into question. The focus of this criticism has often been the perceived lack of legitimacy in eurozone policymaking. The eurozone gained a firmer grip on national policymaking in the years leading to 2014, but did not adapt its democratic structure to reflect this. To tackle this problem, European and national policymakers committed to improving the eurozone’s legitimacy and accountability. One of the concrete proposals by policymakers was the institution of parliamentary control that deals specifically with eurozone matters. This Egmont Paper examines whether it would be beneficial to have eurozone level democracy. This is defined as parliamentary scrutiny of, by and for the eurozone to deal with issues that solely concern the eurozone, and decisions made solely by parliamentarians from the eurozone.

• Primary Source

European Parliament: Press Release, 21.03.17: Resolution on transparency, accountability and integrity in the EU institutions http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=&reference=2015/2041(INI)

ESO: Background information: Possible adjustments to the EU institutional set-up http://www.europeansources.info/record/possible-adjustments-to-the-eu-institutional-set-up/

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