Background

In 2022, the European Parliament (EP) has proposed to elect Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) through transnational electoral lists. (1.) Out of 705 MEPs, 28 would be elected from the transnational lists. They would form a European constituency, with geographical balance ensured between small, medium and large countries. (2.) You would vote as usual for candidates from your own country to send to the EP, but you would also be asked to choose from a transnational list headed by the candidate for the President of the European Commission. 

Your views matter because, so far, only a few consultations with the voters have taken place on this topic!

For

EP elections are frequently criticised for focusing mainly on domestic political considerations and less so on the EU project as such. This proposed reform could be a step towards the Europeanisation of EP elections. (1.) In the long-term, this could allow voters to express their preference for a candidate for the European Commission President (now nominated by the European Council and elected by the EP). (2.) Transnational lists may also help to build the political arena, as they would oblige European political parties to present themselves to citizens with a single political programme and a joint pool of candidates. (3.)

Against 

The proposal could be perceived as complicated by ordinary people, who are used to voting in a certain way, for national candidates. The reform has not received unanimous support in the European Parliament. (4.) Transnational lists are criticised for potentially increasing the distance between voters and their representatives, as MEPs elected through transnational lists would not have a bond with a constituency, and for the difficulties surrounding the organisation of a European electoral campaign in different languages and a large territory. (5.)

References

1. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2022/729403/EPRS_BRI(2022)729403_EN.pdf
2. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2023/749776/EPRS_STU(2023)749776_EN.pdf
3. https://revdem.ceu.edu/2022/02/08/revdem-thread-transnational-lists-and-beyond-how-to-democratise-europe/
4. Parliament adopted the legislative proposal aiming at repealing and replacing the current Electoral Act of 1976 on 3 May 2022, by 323 votes in favour, 262 against, and 48 abstentions. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2023/749776/EPRS_STU(2023)749776_EN.pdf
5. European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2021/679084/EPRS_STU(2021)679084_EN.pdf