Who should be the next EU Commission President? Which of the Spitzenkandidaten do you support? With just two weeks to go until the European Parliament elections, we’re putting your questions to some of the lead-candidates for Europe’s top job.
First up, we’ll be looking at Jan Zahradil, the candidate for the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE). If you want to know more about his history and background, then be sure to check out our candidate profile. What would he have to say to our readers?
First up, what would his top priorities be? We had a comment sent in from Jose, who wanted to know what the priorities for the next European Commission should be. What should it focus on after the European Parliament elections? Should it make a radical break with the last five years? Push for more modest reforms? Or stick with the course the EU is currently on?
Next up, we had a comment from Hector, who says (citing Eurobarometer) that trust in the EU has still not recovered since the Eurozone crisis. Looking at the numbers, this does seem to be the case (average trust in the EU was indeed higher before 2012, though there have been signs of improvement in the last couple of years). How would Jan Zahradil help restore trust in the EU?
Next, we had a comment from Cyril, who wants to know what’s the best way to create jobs and tackle unemployment. He suggests either greater public investment, lower taxes, or a comprehensive reform of tax systems to benefits working and middle class households. What would Jan Zahradil say?
Finally, we had a comment from Ironworker, who says he’s confused by the debate over immigration. How should we think about migration? Is it good or bad for Europe? Or is it impossible to simplify such a complex issue that way?
Will you support Jan Zahradil for EU Commission President? Or would you prefer one of the other candidates? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
6 comments Post a commentcomment
That is another dishonest question!
Mr Zahradil would deserve broad voters support. ACRE’s “political memorandum” & his point of view are politically attractive for voters who seek to seriously reform the EU and a change to a more acceptable concept!
But- individual voters cannot nominate nor vote for him! That has been made impossible by deliberate design- to shock absorb the EU from sudden “popular” support towards the wrong direction and save it’s concept from “derailment”.
https://europeelects.eu/2019/01/30/four-scenarios-for-the-european-election/
EXCEPT, the EU President of the EU Commission could be elected by direct poll- EU wide- one day in future- to give an “outsider” such as Jan Zahradil a winning chance!
At this moment it is “designed” to be near zero. The highest chance would probably rest with Germany’s EEP’s Spitzen-candidate M. Weber.
To level the playing field would require a change of Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Lisbon.
Because voters “co-decision” making processes have been legally eliminated. Voters have neither a full say- nor an equal say or a reasonable say how the EU President is finally elected.
Sorry Mr. Zahradil- the EU concept is against you! “Reform” the nomination & election procedure first! All I am able to contribute is my appreciation & sympathy for your hard work!
Hell no
Don t know anything about him
Only elections are permitted in democracies
Hell yeah! Conservatives are the new anti-establishment counterculture. It’s cool to be conservative nowadays.
I can think about that.