A Tangled Web: Confusion Reigns in the European Commission
What is the European Commission? It’s a body where each of the 27 EU member states gets a representative, but its relationship with the European Parliament, the only EU institution directly chosen by the people, is shrouded in confusion.
A Commission of Two Faces
The Commission tries to juggle representing both the political landscape and national interests. This creates an inconsistent picture. While the political majority in the Parliament is composed of Socialists, Popolari, and Greens, representatives from other political persuasions are also included, granted important delegations and even vice-presidencies.
“Sic rebus stantibus,” the Italian Democratic Party rightly voted in favor of Raffaele Fitto’s nomination as the sole Italian representative. They understood the necessity of representation within this complex system.
A Kafkaesque Situation.
However, the voting on the Commission laid bare a peculiar paradox. France’s Socialists and Spain’s People’s Party, despite their party affiliation with the Commission President, chose to vote against. Their German counterparts, also from the Socialist Party, abstained. Meanwhile, Meloni’s conservative bloc voted in favor alongside the right-wing League. Political allegiance seemed secondary to national interest.
This convoluted situation led to a bizarre outcome: the Italian Democratic Party, which sits in the minority at home but holds majority power in Strasbourg, voted against the Commission. Conversely, the Italian right, in the majority in Italy but a minority in the European Parliament, also voted against, even though the proposed candidate was a representative of their Italian bloc.
The Illusion of Majority
Could this unusual voting pattern lead to a shift in the European Parliament majority? Von der Leyen swiftly dispelled this notion. She insisted that the existing majority remained unchanged. “It is not defined by those who voted in favour of the Commission,” she stated, “but by the numbers and programs that came out of the elections and the vote on the president.”
However, this approach deviates from the norm in democratic systems, where the government is typically formed based on the trust and votes of the elected representatives. The European Parliament seems to operate on a somewhat different logic, separating the bloc of supporters from the act of governing.
A Façade of Unity?
The current set-up creates a startling disconnect: voting behaviour seems disconnected from the desired outcome. The majority formed in elections may not necessarily translate to the majority supporting the Commission. And while national interests are represented, the overarching goal of European integration appears stalled.
“If the Commission doesn’t become a government mandated by the European Parliament, with its representatives taking ministerial roles, then European integration stagnates.”
The Council, composed of national governments, currently acts as a watchdog, holding sway over the Commission and Parliament, stifling the emergence of a robust European federation. Pushing for the Council to dismantle itself feels like asking turkeys to partake in Christmas dinner.
As long as the Council dictates terms, the dream of a truly united Europe will remain just that – a dream.
How does the dual nature of representing both the European Parliament and individual member states contribute to the complexities and inconsistencies within the European Commission?
## Untangling the EU Commission: An Interview with Professor Jean-Claude Dupont
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into the complex world of the European Commission with Professor Jean-Claude Dupont, a leading expert on EU politics. Professor, your recent article ”A Tangled Web: Confusion Reigns in the European Commission” has sparked quite a debate. Can you help us understand what’s causing so much contention?
**Professor Dupont:** Certainly. The crux of the issue lies in the dual nature of the Commission. It aims to represent both the diverse political landscape of the European Parliament, directly elected by the people, and the interests of each individual member state. This inherent tension often creates inconsistencies and paradoxes.
**Host:** We saw this play out vividly in the recent vote on the Commission.
**Professor Dupont:** Precisely! Parties often find themselves torn between their national interests and their ideological affiliations. Take, for example, the Italian Democratic Party, who, despite belonging to the Left bloc in the European Parliament, voted in favor of a Commission representative from a right-wing party. This decision, though seemingly contradictory, was likely driven by the desire to ensure Italy’s interests were adequately represented within the Commission.
**Host:** So, national interest trumps political ideology?
**Professor Dupont:** It appears so, at least in this particular instance. We witnessed similar patterns with other socialist parties, who prioritized national concerns over their party affiliation. This highlights the complex balancing act the Commission must perform, trying to satisfy both the supranational and national spheres.
**Host:** Some critics argue this system breeds confusion and undermines democratic principles. What’s your take on that?
**Professor Dupont:** It’s certainly a valid concern. The lack of transparency and the apparent disconnect between party affiliation and voting patterns can indeed erode public trust. However, I believe this intricate system, while imperfect, reflects the inherent challenges of unifying diverse nations under a single banner. Ongoing dialog and increased transparency are crucial to bridging this gap and ensuring the Commission truly serves the interests of both its member states and its citizens.
**Host:** Thank you, Professor Dupont. This has been an insightful look into the complexities of the European Commission. We’ll continue to follow developments as the EU navigates these challenging waters. [[1](https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/leadership/european-elections-2024_en)]
