Introduction

Abstract

Why have direct elections to the European Parliament? The answers to this question have raised anxiety among member governments of the European Community (EC) for it has been recognised that direct elections hold the key to the future of the EC. They have been seen as confirming and defining the existence, nature and political form of the Community — as resolving its ontological problems in favour of federalism. The elections would thus undermine any illusions that the Community was (and would remain) an apolitical, functionally specific international organisation, inspired by functionalist premises, and devoid of political import or implications for the exercise of power by the component member states’ governments.¹

A consequence of the Parliament’s new authority will be an increase in its powers, which will take place gradually in the course of the progressive development of the European Union, notably through a growing exercise of the legislative function. It goes without saying that the Parliament should assume an important responsibility in the construction of the Union.

Tindemans Report (1976) p. 29