11 March Daring more democracy
This article is unfortunately only available in German.
MEP Manuela Ripa comments on the launch of the "Conference on the Future of Europe"
Brussels, March 11, 2021 - Yesterday, the "Conference on the Future of Europe" was presented in Brussels with a joint declaration by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council. The aim is to develop proposals, with the involvement of civil society, social partners and regional and local authorities, to strengthen the democratic constitution of the EU and improve the way it works. Manuela Ripa, MEP of the Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP), welcomes the convening of the new body. "The EU can only tackle the major challenges of the future, such as climate protection, digitalization or health policy, if it radically changes the way it works. There is therefore no way around a far-reaching reform of the European Union. This includes, for example, replacing the principle of unanimity in the Council with qualified majority voting in the future in order to break the deadlock of some member states, for example on the rule of law. We need an EU that is able to act and assert itself if we do not want to fall behind other regions of the world."
Manuela Ripa emphasizes that the ÖDP is more committed to direct democracy than any other party in Germany. The party has already successfully promoted referendums on several occasions. The MEP therefore expressly welcomes the involvement of citizens in the reform process that has now been initiated. She calls for the EU Citizens' Initiative to be upgraded so that EU member states can no longer simply ignore the demands of civil society. "We must dare more democracy. More direct democracy is the best remedy against populists and disenchantment with politics," said Ripa.
The MEP also emphasizes the important role of the European Parliament. "The EU Parliament is the only democratically legitimized institution in the EU. That is why it finally needs a right of initiative. The idea of transnational lists in European elections must also be put back on the table. Only if candidates can be elected across borders can a common political identity emerge. The EU member states will have to be judged on the extent to which reforms are implemented here. Because so far, many of them have shown no real interest in change".
We must dare more democracy. More direct democracy is the best remedy against populists and disenchantment with politics