The European Union and Its Stance on Democracy

Many critics have questioned the European Union's (EU) commitment to promoting democracy and good governance. While joining the EU is contingent upon meeting these criteria, there is considerable debate on how actively the EU promotes and protects democratic principles.

Criteria for EU Membership

Membership in the EU is predicated on various economic, political, and social criteria, including democratic governance. However, the extent to which the EU enforces and promotes these principles beyond these initial requirements is subject to scrutiny. As we have seen with certain member states, the EU is willing to intervene when democratic standards fall below a certain threshold, indicating a degree of vigilance.

Intervention and Enforcement

When the level of democracy and good governance drops to unacceptable levels, the EU sometimes takes direct action. This can include imposing fines, as seen with Spain and Italy for failing to comply with recycling pollution and refuse collection regulations. Greece faced similar scrutiny, leading to its candidacy for administrative oversight. Similarly, Germany has been penalized for inadequate city pollution management.

Dismissal of Elected Governments

It is deeply concerning that the EU has the power to dismiss the elected governments of its member states. Recent examples, such as the intervention in Greece and Italy, have replaced these governments with unelected entities. These unelected commissions often operate without accountability, raising doubts about the EU's true commitment to democratic principles.

The Impact of Brexit

The departure of the United Kingdom (UK) marks a turning point for the EU. It is now more apparent that fostering a genuinely democratic environment is a crucial requirement for EU membership. The UK's exit has highlighted the need for reform and improvement in the EU's governance and democratic standards, with potential changes on the horizon.

EU's Democratic Mechanisms and Decision-Making

The democratic nature of the European Parliament remains a point of contention. While it can propose legislation, it lacks the power to introduce new laws, reduce or increase tax rates. Furthermore, the composition of MEPs, regardless of their ideological stance, does not guarantee influence over law-making processes, as those decisions are made by the unelected hierarchy responsible for policy-making.

The Council of Ministers often holds meetings in private, and the outcomes are not always disclosed, undermining the democratic process. Additionally, widespread fraud within the EU is a notable issue that goes unaddressed due to bureaucratic inertia, further tarnishing the democratic credentials of the EU.

As the EU grapples with these challenges, it will be essential for member states and the EU as a whole to redefine and implement democratic principles more consistently to ensure a fair and transparent governance framework.