Welcome
Minister of State Roth: The European Parliament is the pulsating heart of European democracy
EU flags in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, © picture alliance / dpa
After the Federal Constitutional Court delivered its judgment on Germany’s 3% hurdle for parties seeking to enter the European Parliament, Minister of State Roth underscored the importance of the European Parliament as a key EU body whose decisions frequently have a tangible effect on the daily lives of everybody in Europe.
With a view to the judgment handed down today (26 February) by the Federal Constitutional Court regarding the 3% clause in Germany’s European Elections Act, Minister of State for Europe Roth issued the following statement:
Germany has long been committed to a democratic and citizen‑friendly European Union. The European Parliament is the pulsating heart of European democracy. As the EU’s only body deriving its legitimacy from general elections, it plays a key role in making sure there is a direct and vibrant bond between the citizens and the European Union.
Alongside the Council, the European Parliament is the key player in the EU legislative process. The Lisbon Treaty also went a long way towards strengthening the Parliament’s role in the election and composition of the Commission.
The decisions the European Parliament makes in conjunction with other European institutions often affect our daily lives in very tangible ways. The European Parliament holds lively debates and helps shape decisions on major policy areas such as the completion of the internal market, data protection, climate policy, the treatment of refugees and social cohesion, to name but a few.
It is now up to the citizens to elect a European Parliament capable of action on 25 May 2014.
