49 recommendations for the reform of European parties (edited)
European Democracy Consulting and REPRESENT propose 49 recommendations for the reform of European political parties.
The Ranked apportionment method — report for the Council of the EU
This report, written for the benefit of the Council of the European Union, highlights the shortcomings of the European Parliament’s proposal for a Union-wide constituency and introduces the Ranked apportionment method.
European parties: oversight nowhere in sight?
Instead of the mere band-aid of transnational lists, let us reform EU parties and engage on a bold reform to engage citizens and make our election truly European.
Improving the Council’s proposal for the reform of European parties
Ahead of trilogues, European Democracy Consulting provides the Council with amendment proposals regarding the framework regulating European political parties.
Transnational lists deserve better
This quick review critically analyses three major components of the design of transnational lists: the size of the constituency, the apportionment method, and the distribution method.
Visualising donations and contributions 2022
This report by European Democracy Consulting presents visualisations for European parties’ donations and contributions between 2018 and 2020.
Assessing the European Commission’s proposal for the reform of European political parties
European Democracy Consulting provides a full review and analysis of the European Commission proposal for a revision of Regulation 1141/2014 on European political parties.
Geographical Representation in EU Leadership Observatory 2022
The 2022 Geographical Representation in EU Leadership Observatory analyses recent appointments to EU leadership positions.
The European Parliament, European parties, and the use of public funds
With the European Ombudsman and Court of Auditors unwilling to address alleged maladministration, legislative reform of European party funding is essential.
The Ranked apportionment method
The Ranked apportionment method is a simple and elegant voting method remedying the shortcomings identified for the creation of a true European transnational constituency.
Running the numbers
This report provides reliable figures and insightful visualisations in order to grasp the full impact of the reform of European parties’ public funding regime.
The λogos project
The λogos project challenges the implementation of national parties’ requirement to display the logo of their European party on their website.
Visualising donations and contributions
This quick review by European Democracy Consulting presents visualisations for European parties’ donations and contributions.
Reforming European parties – seminal report
This report on the reform of European parties covers six pillars of the regulation of European parties: registration, structure and operations, financing, campaigning, visibility and transparency, and sanctions.
EDC responds to Ombudsman decision on Authority for European Parties
European Democracy Consulting provides its response and recommendations following the publication of the European Ombudsman decision on the Authority for European parties.
A smarter funding system for European parties
This Policy Brief published by the ÖGFE proposes concrete reform proposals for the funding system of European political parties.
Geographical Representation in EU Leadership Observatory 2021
The Geographical Representation in EU Leadership Observatory analyses past and present trends of regional representation in the EU’s leadership.
EDC comments Authority for European Parties’ reply to Ombudsman inquiry
European Democracy Consulting provides its comments on the APPF’s reply in the framework of the European Ombudsman inquiry into its transparency practices.
Making our election truly European
Instead of the mere band-aid of transnational lists, let us reform EU parties and engage on a bold reform to engage citizens and make our election truly European.
EU Ombudsman opens inquiry into Authority for European parties
Following a complaint by European Democracy Consulting, the European Ombudsman has announced the opening of an inquiry into the handling, by the European parties watchdog, of its transparency obligations.
EDC takes Authority for European parties to European Ombudsman
A report highlights the failures of the European party watchdog to implement its transparency requirements under EU law. European Democracy Consulting lodged a complaint to the European Ombudsman on 26 June.
Living together, voting together
It’s not just a feeling: elections in Europe do take place all the time. European Democracy Consulting provides unique data and visualisations to understand the scope of this constant electioneering. Here is why we should care.
Failure of the APPF to abide by its transparency requirements
The Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations appears not to comply with its transparency obligations stemming from Article 32 of Regulation 1141/2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations. This review highlights the accomplishments and shortcomings of the APPF regarding its transparency requirements. We hope it proves useful to you in enacting the necessary measures to meet the provisions of Regulation 1141/2014.
European elections, as you’ve never seen them before
The European election, last May, was undoubtedly the major political element of 2019. Campaigns were fierce, the outcome closely observed, and its consequences ran until the end of the year with the arrival of the new Commission. Yet, one group of stakeholders was scarcely mentioned: European political parties.
East-West Divide in EU leadership
Fifteen years after the 2004 “big bang” of EU enlargement, is there an East-West divide in the EU’s leadership? This quick review reveals a dramatic absence of entire regions which must be addressed.
Adopting the improved Bundestag system
Sixty years in, the EU still does not have a common election. More than ever, it is essential for our democracy and the equality of European citizens that we adopt a common voting system. The Bundestag gives us a fascinating way forward.
[Published by EuropeanConstitution.eu]
Not transnational lists, transnational parties
Transnational lists have emerged as a regular talking point. Yet, what may seem like a no-nonsense way to promote a “more European” Europe is, upon closer examination, unlikely to make our elections and politics more integrated, and completely foreign to the workings of federal systems. The ills it seeks to remedy are real, but the solution lies elsewhere.
[Published by EuropeanConstitution.eu]
European democracy is achieved through transnational parties, not transnational lists
‘Transnational lists’ in European elections would mean creating a Europe-wide constituency to give citizens a chance to vote for common candidates, in addition to national ones. It is the most oft-discussed idea for making European elections ‘more European’. However, we should instead focus on developing pan-European political parties.
[Published by The New Federalist]
Let the European Parliament choose the European Commission
Nationalist parties all across the EU have long been feeding off the Union’s lack of democracy and are bound to jump on the way the new leaders of EU institutions are elected to reinforce their message.
[Published by EURACTIV.com]
The importance of building a European democracy
With over 400mn people eligible to vote, the recent European parliamentary election was the second-largest democratic exercise in the world. Yet, beyond the vote itself, how democratic really is the EU?
[Published by Friends of Europe]
Europe’s democratic challenge: in search of government
Europe is about democracy. We cherish democracy in our national institutions by ensuring a healthy separation of powers, by fighting for free and fair elections, and by combining the rule of the majority with the protection of the minority. Let’s do the same at the European level.
[Published by EURACTIV.com with Andrew Duff]