A president for Europe?

[Olivier]

Jacques Chirac has asked for elections for a european president...
What would you think about electing a president for the European Union?


(hey guys, it's my first poll! )

Olivi€R

[mts]

No.. not yet.. it would not work. Maybe later. Let's see how the EU develops first.

[Olivier]

No.. not yet.. it would not work. Maybe later. Let's see how the EU develops first.

And what kind of development would you like?

Olivier

[pinguino79]

I said Yes, but there are pros and cons.
The idea of a president is ok (and obvious, if Europe wants to speak with one voice) but there would also be the risk of a populist leader. And it has to be a European president, not one making the interests of his own country.

[micro]

No.. not yet.. it would not work. Maybe later. Let's see how the EU develops first.

I think the eurocrates would manage to create the position of a President of Europe without giving him or her any noticable power. Just representation.

[Olivier]

I think it would be hard to elect one, the smaller countries would never have a chance.

I don't think so... I would be ready to elect a president from the Netherlands, Sweden or Greece if I agree with his/her ideas. Actually, we have a italian leader of the Commission, a irish president of the Parlement.. it's working well.

I hope the nordic countries could push their partners to more male/female parity... and less corruption and demagogy.

O.

[Olivier]

No.. not yet.. it would not work. Maybe later. Let's see how the EU develops first.

I think the eurocrates would manage to create the position of a President of Europe without giving him or her any noticable power. Just representation.

It can be a President, a Prime Minister, a Chancellor... I don't mind if the person who really leads has been elected by the people.

Olivier

[pinguino79]

I think the eurocrates would manage to create the position of a President of Europe without giving him or her any noticable power. Just representation.

This is what's happening now: the Commissioner is just pure representation, chosen by eurocrats! Now that some powers will be moved to EU (e.g. monetary policies) EU people should decide their own leaders.
BTW: missed you, micro! How did you spent your holidays?

[mts]

And what kind of development would you like?

Olivier

Less bureaucracy and meaningless directives. They should concentrate only on big issues.

[micro]

BTW: missed you, micro! How did you spent your holidays?

Oh, thank you for asking! I've been to the island of Mallorca, Spain, for my first time. Nice place, but hords of tourists! Now I have an abundance of spanish coins and seven foreign ones, mostly French and Austrian, but no Italian ones .

[pinguino79]

Now I have an abundance of spanish coins and seven foreign ones, mostly French and Austrian, but no Italian ones .

I sent you a private message before you left, but you didn't answer
I can send you the whole set, 'cause I'm interested in exchanging.
(Note for other ECC: we already discussed about that, this is obly half-cheating )

[Olivier]

This is what's happening now: the Commissioner is just pure representation, chosen by eurocrats! Now that some powers will be moved to EU (e.g. monetary policies) EU people should decide their own leaders.
BTW: missed you, micro! How did you spent your holidays?

Hi Pinguino!

I have read several proposals for the future Constitution... Some propose that the Commission becomes a kind of Chamber of State, because every state has got its own commissaire.
Other prefer that it's a kind of government, as today.

The president could be elected by the Heads of State (Chirac's opinion), or by the Mp's (Jospin, Fisher...), or by the citizens (Prodi)...

What do you think about it?

O.

[pinguino79]

Hi Pinguino!
[snip]
What do you think about it?

Hi Olivier, welcome back!
Now the debate entered a crucial point, and I'm reading interesting stuff about that.
I think each idea has pros and cons (as everything), and all the proposals you mentioned are equally worthy, but in principle I'd agree with a president elected by people; of course, if I'd be asked to vote, I'd vote a candidate without caring of his/her nationality, but the the point is: how many people would do this?

[Olivier]

Hi Olivier, welcome back!

Now the debate entered a crucial point, and I'm reading interesting stuff about that.

Tell me where you go to find informations! The forum of Europa is so sad... and technical. Some guys send pages and pages of their own project of constitution. I can't read all of them...

if I'd be asked to vote, I'd vote a candidate without caring of his/her nationality, but the the point is: how many people would do this?

I think the other problem would be the language... How can a candidate be elected in all the EU if the people can't understand him/her... ?

I regret that Europe is a topic totally ignored of the french presidential debate...

O.

[pinguino79]

Tell me where you go to find informations! The forum of Europa is so sad... and technical. Some guys send pages and pages of their own project of constitution. I can't read all of them...

I read all the infos on Italian newspapers and newsmagazines (usually are short articles).

I think the other problem would be the language... How can a candidate be elected in all the EU if the people can't understand him/her... ?

Correct, I forgot that... well, there are interpreters