2015/10/14

“I do not take my mandate from the European people.”

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When put to her, Malmström acknowledged that a trade deal has never inspired such passionate and widespread opposition. Yet when I asked the trade commissioner how she could continue her persistent promotion of the [TTIP treaty deal] in the face of such massive public opposition, her response came back icy cold: “I do not take my mandate from the European people.”

Sometimes politicians admit we're not really living in a democracy yet. This is particularly true about the European Union, where the commission is far removed from electoral legitimation and the parliament elections violate the principle of equality of votes' weight.

The separation of powers (between legislative and executive branches of government is rather theoretical as well, and the separation of powers between executive and judicial branches of government has been violated countless times.

The TTIP treaty is a classic case of a political decision where I say we need a plebiscite for this. There's no question about a plebiscite's democratic legitimation as long as you don't mess it up by voter disenfranchisement or are foolish enough to use voting machines.

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