TRANSNATIONAL LISTS FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS

Author SIETSE WIJNSMA, policy advisor on constitutional affairs at the ALDE group of the European Parliament.

INTRODUCTION

The European Parliament is currently discussing in its committee on constitutional affairs the report on the Composition of the Parliament, concerning the distribution of parliamentary seats. As part of this EP report, it is proposed to introduce transnational lists whereby all European citizens can vote on the same candidates in a joint European constituency. This legislative initiative by the Parliament will need to be adopted soon as the 2019 elections preparations are imminent, and preferably before the European Council of 23 February. As there seem to be many questions and misconceptions going around, this paper seeks to clarify the intention and modalities of transnational lists.