Last time I heard something about it was it being a contentious point in the Lisbon Treaty. My belief stand corrected. Thought the EU really needs better RP and more of it.
I also think the European parliament should stop commuting every 4 weeks for 4 days to Strasbourg. I just don't see any benefits in it. And yes Strasbourg is a beautiful city. France should be compensated by getting other institutions like the ECJ.
I first read that as you wanting France to get compensated for the environmental pollution caused by the flocks of oily politicians descending upon Strasbourg every 4 weeks and marring the view.
I agree that the European parliament is very fragmented. Mostly the only practicable majority is a grand coaliton between the center-left (S&D) and the center right (EPP). Maybe it could help to introduce an European-wide threshold of anything between 1 and 3 percent. That way parties who are unable to find partners in other countries would be unable to enter parliament.
I'm for diversity in the political offer but what I really wish for a stronger sense of bond between the people across europe, a sense that the people who voted for the same party as you in another country are your bros .
Springlullaby, I think you're overly conspicious of "corporate interests". Corporations aren't directed by one evil master. Hedge funds generally like uncertainity, while companies from the manufacturing industry don't. I also think policitics and economics often aren't a zero-sum game. If it's easier to lay off workers, companies might hire more in the first place and thereby reduce unemployment.
I don't think corporations are evil, they are just what they are because of the law of the market, and I do think the EU's economy is failing because it isn't competitive enough (mostly on fiscal issues and flexibility for entrepreneurship for smaller companies imo) and some reforms are necessary, but that doesn't mean I think social protection isn't good for humankind.
If the EU doesn't serve as a strong medium between the people and corporate interests through the democratic process, what you will get as an end game globally is a competition of which kind of regime can exploit its people for cheapest without popular uprising. I want China to align to western standards of welfare, because its people deserve it too, not the opposite. So yes, corporations have to know they can be shown the door too.
Also finance is a great invention, but fuck triple A's rating, really. After 2008 you have to pause and rethink about what to keep from a system which basically draws on the same peculiar human fascination that make people bet on dogs racing each other. (BTW, the UK is really weird about
animals.)
Regarding the question whether it becomes easier to change the union after Britain leaves it: I don't see any difference in the short term. But in the medium and long term, it might be easier to change the treaties. The Remain campaign had effectively promised to block any further integration. Without the UK it's a bit easier. However there also isn't much agreement in the rest of Europe how reforms should look like.
I think it's human that people wants to belong. I think the way to do integration is to formulate an european identity. Not tell people they are racist if they want to know where their home would be.
) opinion on Gove, don't know the guy at all.
