EU governance is “undemocratic”, says MEP Christine Anderson

BY SAVANNAH HULSEY POINTER & JAN JEKIELEK, January 4, 2024 for Epochtimes

A European Union ( EU ) MP accuses the EU's mode of governance of being "anti-democratic"

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In a recent interview with Jan Jekielek of The Epoch Times , host of the American Thought Leaders show, Christine Anderson, a member of the European Parliament and representative of the Alternative for Germany party, explained how the governance model of the EU short-circuits any adequate representation of citizens.

Ms. Anderson highlighted the division of power that member countries face, which she says violates the fundamental principles of democracies.

A government can bypass its country's democratically elected representatives by asking for laws to be directly validated by the EU, the German politician explained.

Here's how it works: "Suppose the German government wants to pass a law and the Bundestag, which is the democratically elected representation of the German people, says: 'No...we will not vote for that'."

“The story wouldn't end there. Today, it is enough for the German government to take up this law [and] submit it to the European institutions, and the Council […] will adopt the law at European level. »

She explained that this structure creates a system where "there is no division of power" and where civil servants are able to implement laws that have not been passed by the country's parliament.

This undemocratic structure raises questions of accountability, she added, because politicians can shirk responsibility by transferring legislative authority to agencies and experts.

To ensure that elected officials remain accountable for their countries' laws and policies, it is necessary, says Ms Anderson, to demand transparency and accountability in EU governance.

Facing dissent

A member of the European Parliament since 2019, she also spoke about several other worrying trends observed in her country and across the EU. In particular, she spoke about the tendency to label anyone who deviates from progressive ideology as “far right”.

The journalist, Jan Jekielek, asked whether the situation in the EU was similar to what is happening in the United States, where dissenting voices are denigrated by mainstream media. Several prominent names were cited to illustrate the current political mood, such as newly elected Argentine President Javier Milei and tech mogul Elon Musk.

Ms. Anderson confirmed that “Anyone who does not support the globalist agenda being advocated or put forward at this time” is given this label.

She claimed that anyone who does not align with the ongoing globalist agenda is labeled as "far right." Taking the example of protests in Berlin against Covid restrictions, she highlighted how people, originally left-wing, have been falsely labeled as right-wing extremists by the media.

This way of characterizing dissidents contributes to polarization and the stifling of debate, continued Ms. Anderson. She also stressed the importance of recognizing diverse perspectives within a democratic society, calling for open dialogue and understanding.

By labeling dissenting voices as “extreme right,” the discourse becomes polarized and undermines the democratic principle of freedom of expression and critical debate, she added.

Impact in other countries

Eastern Europe and Western Europe, however, are not similar in their ideology . According to Anderson, Eastern Europe is moving more intentionally away from the globalist agenda because of its recent history with totalitarian regimes.

" They remember. They recognize the mechanisms that allow totalitarian regimes to do certain things,” she said. “They recognize the language, they recognize the staging. Therefore, it doesn't really work with Eastern European countries, and that's where [the EU] encounters the most resistance. »

She believes that preparations are underway to pave the way for an ever-increasing role for the EU, stressing that Western nations are still reluctant to allow themselves to be controlled and that they will have to be brought there gradually.

She says she has had to "accept the fact that we won't be able to undo" some of the damage recently done in the EU, but she still has hope for Western Europe.

Part of her hope lies with the United States, Ms. Anderson said, although the country faces the same questions in government.

“My hope also lies in the American people who believe in freedom more than Europeans,” she added.