The European Parliament is correct to wish to have an enhanced standing in the eye of the public so that it becomes the focus of the new European political space, the accepted forum of the single political market: making European laws and budgets, and holding the executive to account. To date, the search for political legitimacy is being undermined by the continuing decline in turnout at elections, by scanty media reportage, by apathetic political parties and, even, by the latent jealousy of some national parliaments about its growing powers.
Tot op heden wordt de politieke legitimiteit van het Parlement ondermijnd door de voortdurende daling van de opkomst bij verkiezingen, schaarse media-aandacht, apathische politieke partijen en zelfs latente jaloersheid van sommige nationale parlementen wegens zijn toenemende bevoegdheden.
