Electing an EU president

Madam, - With regard to Giscard d'Estaing's controversial proposal for EU reform, I would like to make two alternative proposals…

Madam, - With regard to Giscard d'Estaing's controversial proposal for EU reform, I would like to make two alternative proposals.

To enhance the connection between the people of Europe and the EU, the official serving as president should be elected by direct popular vote, and should take on the duties of an overall executive and the responsibilities now assigned to the European Council.

But to prevent a few large nations from dominating the election process, a candidate should be required to obtain not only an overall popular vote majority but also a popular vote majority in a majority of the member nations.

If three or more candidates were contesting the election a proportional representation ballot could be used.

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Secondly, the European Commission should become a partner-chamber with the European Parliament in an EU legislative branch of government. Each member nation should have the same number of commissioners, while seats in parliament should be based on districts of equal population size. Such a legislature would provide a balance between representation for individuals and for the political entity of a nation-state.

The success of the European Union greatly depends on its becoming a true joining of the peoples of Europe in a beneficial partnership for all. These proposals would help achieve this goal. - Yours, etc.,

DAN DONOVAN, Brooklyn, New York, USA.