[danaris]

Every time we stop it from becoming law, that is a victory.

Viewing it as anything else is actively counterproductive.

The fact that they will keep bringing it back until we have better people in the EU Parliament just means that we have to win more victories.

[izacus]

They haven't yet dared to bring it to the parliament because then they'd have to let it be defeated.

[hn_throw2025]

> The fact that they will keep bringing it back until we have better people in the EU Parliament just means that we have to win more victories.

But these proposals came not from the EU Parliament (who you directly vote for), but from the EU Commission (who you do not). They have since been revived by several presidencies of the Council, who are also highly likely to be immune to your electoral displeasure. The EU Parliament has no ability to initiate legislation.

The EU-critical minority on HN keeps pointing this out only to receive downvotes, while the same old misunderstandings continue. Any democratic link between the EU Citizens and the Commission is effectively homeopathic.

I am glad that the Parliament had rejected these proposals, but remember the saying… you have to be lucky every time.

[danaris]

Ah, my apologies—so how does the Commission get selected? Presumably there's still some way to influence it, even if it's indirect.

[hn_throw2025]

No problem... it's not straightforward at all.

Each member state nominates a Commissioner candidate, in consultation with the incoming Commission President. Each Commission candidate is interviewed by a Parliamentary committee, and (rarely) they might be rejected. I suppose you could pressure your MEP if they happen to be on the committee...

The MEPs as a group have to approve the whole Commission as a final stage and could reject them... but this has never happened. The closest thing to this would be the Commission of '99 that collectively resigned over corruption.