Debate about the elections to European Parliament

On May 26th the Dutch Centre for Political Participation organized a debate about the elections to European Parliament.

There were three specialists who told something about three different topics. Afterwards politicians and the public could discus different positions related to the topics. There were candidates of the main political parties of the Netherlands: Winand Quaedvlieg (CDA), Emine Bozkurt (PvdA), Ferdi de Lange (VVD), Judith Sargentini (GroenLinks), Kartika Liotard (SP) en Ivo Thijssen (D66).

The first topic was about energy policy. The statement which the specialist, Jacques de Jong (Clingendael Institute), wanted to make was that the European Union need to have a single energy policy. It is important that the policy is regulated strong and clearly. The second topic was about the question more national control or a more democratic Europe. Specialist Anna van der Vleuten (Radboud University), clarified an important dilemma, the ‘devils triangle’. In this triangle capacity is in the top, on the left corner is democratic control, and on the right corner is national control. The problem is to get more of one and the other at the same time. For example the European Parliament want to have more authority, while member states don’t want to give away their sovereignty. At last specialist Marietje Stellinga (Elsevier Magazine) told something about the economic crisis. Her advice to the potential MEP’s was that the EU does not need to stimulate the economy with millions of Euros, as the United States did. The economic system of Europe is not similar to the system in the United States. Therefore it won’t work.

After each topic the candidates of the political parties and the public had a dynamic discussion. Reactions of visitors were positive. They learned more about the subject so that they could better formulate an opinion afterwards.