European elections and the future of the European Union

Objectives

• Awareness of the importance of the action developed by the EU to boost the growth and cohesion of the Member States.
• Know the different instruments for development and cohesion policies.
• Appreciate the contributions made by the EU and discuss with the users of the course if the adoption of these policies in the European field is the best or not than if they are taken independently by the Member states by the member states.

Duration and resources

• The activity will take place during the 7th week of the course
• Access to the forum or in the platform of Gijón Participa in which you have already registered.

Development

We are interested in your opinion about the European Parliament role and the assessment of European elections.

You can comment, or try to respond some key questions, such as the following:

• What changes would you suggest for citizens to identify more with the European Parliament?
• Why do you think there is yet a high percentage of European citizens who believe that their voice is not heard in the EU?
• Do you think that exist a democratic deficit in the EU?
• How do you value the achievements that are being acted in the EU?
• How do you value the fact that despite all the achievements that the EU is recognized, it continues to lack support from its citizens? Does the stranger have to see about the operation of the EU?
• Do you think it would be necessary to include in the programs of member States mandatory training specific contents about what is it and how does the EU work?

Example

Sometimes, a democratic deficit is blamed on the European Union, considering that they are the representatives of the States and not of European citizens who are represented in the European institutions and those who decide on policies, legislation, position… of the EU. However, the changes that over the years have been made in the operation of the European Union have been increasing the role of European Parliament (elected by European citizens) and today participates in the adoption of standards with the status of law, as in the case of member States. In the same way, the composition of The European Parliament can be decisive for the future composition of the Commission.