EU parliament leaders to spell out election plans

A meeting of parliament’s political groups this spring will address the issue of how to make European elections more relevant to citizens, says Pat Cox.

Leaders will converge on The Hague ahead of the 2009 European elections.

The event, on 23 to 24 May, will debate how the electorate can be encouraged to focus on EU, rather than domestic, issues in the poll.

Pat Cox, president of event organisers, the European Movement, told this website, “In many ways, we have created a successful EU but, in other ways, have yet to find our Europeans.

“We have pan-European parties but, too often, it is still domestic issues that dominate elections to the European parliament.

“This event will be a rare opportunity for all group leaders to spell out what they think distinguishes the main parties.”

Others invited to the event include commission president Jose Manual Barroso, representatives from 150 civil society organisations, the Council of Europe and the European Economic Social Committee.

It is being staged 60 years since the 1948 Congress of Europe which was presided over by Winston Churchill and, indirectly, led to the creation of European Movement, which has 43 national councils.

Cox, a former president of parliament, also hopes the Congress of Europe ‘Mark 2’ event will generate 60 ‘ideas for the future of Europe’.

"This is a chance for leaders of the political groups in parliament to set out their stall ahead of the European elections," said the Irishman.

• Previous article
• Next article