The Spitzenkandidaten process has ‘presidentialised’ the Commission, but only time will tell whether it allows for better representation of citizens’ views

The makeup of the new European Commission was announced by Jean-Claude Juncker on 10 September 2014. Following the announcement, Andrew Glencross writes on the constitutional implications of the so-called Spitzenkandidaten process for the new Commission’s role.

He argues that the process could be understood as a parallel to the use of direct democracy in Switzerland or a directly elected President in the United States to grant citizens a more direct connection with fundamental constitutional change. However this form of ‘presidentialisation’ in the Commission’s case is unlikely to bring about ‘bottom up’ constitutional agency overnight, particularly given the indirect nature of Juncker’s appointment.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Towards the Juncker Commission http://www.europeansources.info/record/towards-the-juncker-commission/

ESO: Background information: The Juncker Commission: A strong and experienced team standing for change http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-juncker-commission-a-strong-and-experienced-team-standing-for-change/

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