EU Reform Proposal: Direct Election of European Commission President in Two Rounds

The European Union has long been criticized for its democratic deficit, where the selection of key leaders, including the President of the European Commission, often reflects a complex negotiation among member states rather than direct citizen input. This reform proposal seeks to address this issue by introducing a system for the direct election of the European Commission President in two rounds:

• First Round: This would coincide with the European Parliament elections, where candidates for the Commission President would campaign across the EU, presenting their policy visions and plans in multiple languages to engage directly with citizens. Voters would choose from a slate of candidates, each representing a political group or coalition.

• Second Round: If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, a second round would occur approximately two weeks later. The top two candidates from the first round would compete, ensuring that the elected President has a clear mandate from the majority of European voters. This round would focus on further refining their agendas, responding to voter feedback, and clarifying their commitment to European integration and reforms.

The rationale behind this reform is to streamline the often convoluted selection process currently dominated by the European Council, which may not always prioritize the direct interests or desires of EU citizens. By allowing for direct elections, this system would ensure that the President of the European Commission is someone who has actively campaigned on ideas that resonate with the populace, thereby fostering a more democratic and accountable leadership.

A critical aspect of this reform is that citizens from different countries would vote for the same leader, which is not the case in the current system. This unified voting process across all member states would significantly strengthen the sense of unity and shared identity among Europeans. It would move beyond national boundaries in the leadership selection, promoting a collective European consciousness where people feel they are part of a larger, cohesive entity. This could lead to a more dynamic, responsive, and visionary leadership at the EU level, where policy reforms intended to improve Europe are not hindered by intergovernmental negotiations but are instead driven by a directly elected leader with a clear mandate to enact change.