The politicization of the European elections and its potential effects on the EU

Author: Roberto Castaldi
Date: July 2014

A first attempt at politicizing the European elections occurred in 2014. Its main pillar was the selection and indication of party candidates to the post of Commission President by the main European political parties and groups. The European Parliament obtained that the first nomination by the European Council was given to candidate from the party with the largest number of seats in the Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker. The main political groups then rallied behind him and ensured its election. This will have significant effects in the short, medium and long-term, also on inter-institutional relations and European integration. The nomination and election of this Commission president is thus a fateful choice, that will set a social and political dynamics towards the democratization of the EU.