ABSTRACT
However, the basic condition of representative democracy is, indeed, that at election time the citizens ‘…can throw the scoundrels out’—that is replace the Government. This basic feature of representative democracy does not exist in the Community and Union. The form of European governance isand will remain for considerable time-such that there is no ‘Government’ to throw out. Even dismissing the Commission by Parliament (or approving the appointment of the Commission President) is not the equivalent of throwing the Government out. There is no civic act of the European citizen where he or she can influence directly the outcome of any policy choice facing the Community and Union as citizens can when choosing between parties which offer sharply distinct programmes. Neither elections to the European Parliament nor elections to national Parliaments fulfil this function in Europe. This is among the reasons why turnout to European Parliamentary elections has been traditionally low and why these elections are most commonly seen as a mid-term judgment of the Member State Governments rather than a choice on European governance.
