The European Parliament plays a crucial role in defining the trajectory of Ireland’s future, making it essential to vote judiciously on the 7th of June.
74 candidates spanning the three Irish constituencies are campaigning for selection, many of whom are highly commendable. Nevertheless, it’s not my intention to endorse particular individuals or parties, but to highlight five key factors for consideration.
1. Identifying the genuine Europeans:
The European Parliament partakes in real operations. It sways Europe’s powers across several domains – encompassing topics like climate change, trade, and artificial intelligence. Granted, the European Parliament is not the EU’s sole democratic platform; the Council of Ministers symbolises the perspectives of 27 democratically-elected governments and the European Commission is vulnerable to endorsement and termination by the European Parliament. The European Parliament election, however, provides a globally unique opportunity for citizens to choose their representatives directly to a supranational parliament with substantial influence.
Due to the potential impact of the parliament, votes cast for attention-seeking or flag-displaying candidates are essentially squandered. A protest vote’s gratification only endures until the polling booth’s exit. Conversely, the regret of missed potential for true influence lingers for five years.
Remember Nigel Farage and his foolish friends embellishing their Strasbourg desks with miniature Union Jacks only to disgrace them by undermining Britain’s reputation and interests. It would be beneficial for Irish voters to gauge which candidates aim to contribute effectively to the Irish people at the European level, rather than merely seeking political elevation and visibility.
2. Attention to the issues:
The candidates who are vocal about specific matters where the European Parliament has authentic influence should be prioritised. Intriguingly, a recent survey by the Business Post revealed the issues considered most pivotal in the European election – cost of living and health services, areas the parliament holds negligible influence over, were at the top, while climate change barely made it to the list of priorities.
3. The efficiency factor:
The necessitating third consideration is the vital role played by efficacious legislative assembly members. While distinguished legislatures also have a significant role at a national level, these individuals possess a dual function. They exert influence not only as individual contributors but also as members of a governing body or organised opposition. Hence, an unassuming parliament member can substantially support Government policies or contribute meaningfully to a unanimous opposition against those policies on a national level.
However, the European Parliament is different. Most issues do not have a formal majority or minority, but instead operate via a shifting blend of a variety of evolving alliances. Consequently, an individual MEP’s influence primarily relies on their personal capability to not only comprehend substantive portfolios but also influence a multicultural political group. They must also have the ability to contribute to sophisticated compromises and effectively represent critical issues. For this, John Hume’s immense influence as an individual MEP in the European Parliament is a prominent example. A practical guide for the forthcoming month would be to consider the potential influence a candidate would have in Strasbourg and Brussels, rather than prioritising their probable significance within their national public profile.
An additional fourth element that Irish voters need to take into account is the relationship between Irish parties or independent candidates with larger European-level groups. This factor is significant not only for political alignment but also for potential influence. When it comes to influence, an individual MEP can significantly increase their impact, regardless of political leaning, if they are part of a significant political group. For political alignment, it’s worthwhile to consider each candidate’s European-level relations about specific policy areas and Europe’s overall trajectory.
Although the vast preponderance of Irish citizens continue to support the European Union and hope for its success, tolerance, and international influence, not every political group within the European Parliament shares this aspiration. There is a resurgent wave of xenophobic, anti-EU sentiment, and populism sweeping through Europe.
Despite predictions of their downfall, it appears likely that the temperate, Euro-supportive left and right will together hold onto the majority of the positions. It is, however, vital to inhibit the growth of populism to ensure that the difficult and heated discussions in the parliament are principally influenced by those who know Europe well and hold it in high regard.
5. It is not an election exclusive to Ireland
The fifth and crucial fundamental point is that we are not merely selecting members for smaller national parliaments, but for a larger multinational legislative assembly. It is certainly true that MEPs, the Irish ones included, should advocate for the interests of their respective nations. Yet, to effectively champion these national interests, it’s crucial that MEPs also grasp the broader European context and give the collective good its due consideration.
Those who drum up support majorly based on myopic nationalistic catchphrases should be treated with circumspection. Building a European Union that respects the concerns of every member doesn’t mean diluting Ireland’s interests, but rather safeguarding them. The solidarity exhibited within Europe, as evidenced by Ireland’s experience with our EU allies in preventing a new border on the island, is not a one-sided or even two-sided affair. Instead, it is a complex interstate highway of shared understanding and concern.