Extract
[...] From 1945 to the present day, to what extent has the European Union constituted a source of progress for democracy, and what are its limitations? Introduction While originally the EEC paid little attention to democratic rules, considered as belonging exclusively to member states, the Treaty on European Union, particularly its Articles 10 and 11, aim to make it an example of democracy. However, there is a paradox: despite the affirmation of democratic principles in European texts and the constant reinforcement of the powers of the European Parliament, the lawsuit for 'democratic deficit' brought against the European Union has never ceased and is being prosecuted both by the Euro-Enthusiasts and the eurosceptics. [...]
[...] Therefore, one can wonder to what extent the European Union is a progress for democracy and what are its democratic limits 1945-2019? In order to answer this issue, we will first see how the affirmation of a Union was modeled on democratic models and then develop the insufficiencies of European democracy, notably fueling Euroscepticism. I. Ignorant the democratic rules at its origin, European texts today make the EU a nearly perfect democracy. A. [...]
[...] From then on, the pressure for more democracy at the European level was fueled by new values of transparency and participation, also implemented at the national level In the end, the resumption of democratic rules at the European level was a way of legitimizing the European construction at a time when not only was it deepening but was also being questioned by an increasingly large part of public opinion and political parties. B. European texts organize democracy at the European level on the model of democracy in the member states The affirmation of a European citizen Since ancient Greek times, democracy has been defined by the participation of citizens in public life and, in particular, in decisions that affect them. This is the case today in all member states. Article 10§3 of the TEU stipulates that every citizen has the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union ». [...]
[...] However, its powers are very limited in the areas of PESC and PSDC and does not control the actions of the executive, namely the Council. The turnout for European elections has suffered as a result: it was 62% in 1979 but only 42% in 2014, followed by a slight rebound in 2019. A European citizen who weighs little in the European decision-making process It is worth noting that the rights of the European citizen have a a very limited scope : - The European Ombudsman has only a power of recommendation - The right to petition and the right of citizens' initiative are subject to the good will of the European Parliament and the Commission - The right of access to European documents is very regulated by the regulation Regulation No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 Thus, citizens can be consulted in the development of European legislation and informed of these, however, they are far from having the same access to institutions and the same information as the lobbies, which are at the heart of the European decision-making process - 20,000 lobbyists work in Brussels - European decision-makers themselves make back-and-forth trips between European institutions and lobbies Therefore and in general, the decision-making process at the European level appears complex and opaque and thus feeds the incomprehension and mistrust of European citizens B. [...]
[...] - The « constitutionalisation of European treaties by the Court of Justice makes it impossible for the co-legislators of the Union, unlike the national legislator, impossible to go against European case law This is why the reforms implemented to strengthen democracy at the European level, particularly its parliamentary dimension, have not worked. Towards a revolt of the European peoples against the 'diktats' of Brussels? The discontent towards the EU, accused of not serving the interest of European peoples but rather that (of choice) of the elites, multinationals, the rich?, has has long been contained, despite some sparks like the rejection of the European Constitution (2005), which we also observe has not changed anything. [...]
