Too big, too bossy and too interfering – this was how UK prime minister David Cameron summed up the European Union last month at a meeting of heads of state and government. He then proceeded to try and boss other EU leaders into interfering in the process for determining the next president of the EU commission, which had been agreed prior to the recent elections to the European parliament.
The democratic deficiencies of the EU have long been a bone of contention – legitimately so – and one which Eurosceptics and critics have used to bash the EU with; the 'unelected' nature of the European commission president being a particular cause célèbre. It was with this in mind that five of the largest political groups in the European parliament and their European parties agreed to propose leading candidates for the recent European elections.
It was agreed that the candidate of the European party receiving the largest share of the vote across Europe should be given a mandate to start negotiations with a view to being elected as commission president by the European parliament. It is this proto-democratic process for appointing the commission presidency that David Cameron is trying to derail.
"Europe and its citizens deserve a parliament that defends their interests. They also deserve a commission president that is willing to defend the European interest at a time when EU governments are retreating into their narrow national trenches"
Just as Jean-Claude Juncker is not David Cameron's tasse de thé, he would also clearly not be the Greens' first preference. However, the European People's Party emerged as the leading political group following the European elections and, as its leading candidate, Jean-Claude Juncker must be given a mandate by EU governments to seek a majority for election as commission president by the European parliament. Anything else would only further undermine the democratic legitimacy of the EU.
Of course, it is not just David Cameron that is throwing a spanner in the works. Some commentators have ironically pointed out that Jean-Claude Juncker's candidacy seems to enjoy more support from the opposing Socialists and Democrats political family than his own.
Under the EU treaty, EU governments are tasked with proposing a candidate for the presidency of the European commission on the basis of the outcome of the European elections. This decision is to be taken by a qualified – or weighted – majority of EU member states. Those governments which support democratic due process must now push ahead and nominate Jean-Claude Juncker.
The leaders of the political groups in parliament have agreed to only support one of the leading candidates. There can be no reneging on this pledge. To do so would undermine the parliament's role as the directly-elected EU institution, representing EU citizens, and a betrayal of its electorate.
Europe and its citizens deserve a parliament that defends their interests. They also deserve a commission president that is willing to defend the European interest at a time when EU governments are retreating into their narrow national trenches.
Once Juncker is nominated by the European council, the Greens/EFA group will certainly be open to giving him a hearing on his priorities and programme as commission president. Clearly, our support will depend on how his vision corresponds to the priorities the Greens/EFA group believes should be set by the commission for the coming five years. On this basis, we will decide whether or not to support him. First things first: he must be nominated.