October 2012 - Neues Gymnasium Bochum

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY
THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS (AFCO)
October 2012
Second-order elections to the European Parliament: What measures need to
be taken to engage the youth's interests in European politics and bring the EU
closer to its future generation?
Submitted by:
René Adiyaman, Felix Faßbender, Fabian Grieger, Marvin Hiltrop, Jule
Hustiak, Nils Schöfer, Jan Schilling, Lukas Sturm (SchülerInnen am
Neuen Gymnasium Bochum, Europa-Schule)
The European Youth Parliament,
A. Bearing in mind that the level of the European Union is too distant and incomprehensible for
today’s youth,
B. Acknowledging that the transparency and democracy of the European institutional structure
is often regarded as inadequate and appears unattractive to today’s youth,
C. Taking into consideration that a dissatisfactory offer of education leads to a lack of interest
and lack of identification with the European idea amongst adolescents,
D. In acknowledgement that too little information reaches the citizens through the media, for
example on the functionality of the European Union, which inevitably leads to an obstruction
of the European identification,
E. Concerned by the constantly shrinking interest in the election of the European Parliament
from 62% in 1979 to 43.1% in 2009,
F. Alarmed by the fact that through the ever shrinking participation in elections to the
European Parliament and the simultaneous gain of power of the European Union, the EU
concept becomes more undemocratic,
G. Noting that the unequal distribution of power between the European Parliament, the
European Commission and the Council of the European Union leads to a lack of interest in
the elections of the European Parliament caused by a deficit of parliamentary democracy,
H. Observing that the national parliaments, or rather the European executive, have more power
than the European Parliament,
I. Appreciating that the reforms of the Lisbon Treaty strengthening the European Parliament
are right, but insufficient,
J. Recognizing that the election of national parties on the European scale makes the formation
of pan-European ideas difficult,
K. Emphasizing that a government with leaders who arise from free elections is missing;

1. Requests a presence of the European institutions accessible to the public in both media and
internet with:
a) the option to thoroughly read documents and speeches in coherent language,
b) a section for adolescents which not only informs about the function of different
institutions and their relations, but also motivates to help shape the European Union;
2. Recommends the introduction of a Europe class in schools which teaches European politics,
economy, history and culture, to help better educate the youth;
3. Further recommends the expansion of the initiative “Europe School” concentrating on the
problems of the European integration, which includes:
a) the introduction of “Europe Days” in these schools,
b) the expansion of European exchange programs;
4. Supports the foundation of a permanent working European Youth Parliament which:
a) consists of adolescents who are elected for a two-year period,
b) is elected by 15-20 year old citizens of the European Union via internet on a regional
level,
c) owns a right of proposal in the legislative process towards the European Parliament,
d) meets two to three times a year for a one-week period and alternatively, amongst other
possibilities, in closed internet forums;
5. Calls for a strengthening of the European Parliament:
a) against the European Commission and the European Council of Ministers,
b) with an expansion of its decision-making power including areas such as foreign and
security policies;
6. Suggests to restructure the legislation after a parliamentary-democratic and federal system:
a) allowing the European Parliament to vote on all law enactment on a European level,
b) granting the European Parliament the Right of Initiative,
c) ensuring that only special laws which interfere in the decision-making process on the
national level need the approval of the Council of the European Union;
7. Requests the direct election of pan-European parties on the European level;
8. Desires that parties/electoral lists, not the European Council, elect candidates for the
presidency of the European Commission.