EU democracy : One horse wins one horse race

Juncker replacement candidate from Germany barely made it past the post

EU democracy inaction – the farcical events in Strasbourg last night

What passes for an EU ‘election’ took place in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday evening. There was only one candidate for the most powerful position in the EU’s Brussels hierarchy - President of the EU Commission. Despite this apparently unassailable advantage, Frau von der Leyen barely made it across the finishing line.

Brexit Facts4EU.org Summary

The vote to elect the most powerful person in Brussels

There was only one name on the ballot paper: Ursula von der Leyen
She has been the close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel for 15 years
Until yesterday she was German Defence Minister
The vote was secret, so we can’t even tell you how British MEPs voted
The German Defence Minister managed to win by a majority of 9 votes out of a possible 747
22 MEPs abstained, 1 spoilt their ballot paper, 14 didn’t turn up

After months of wrangling in the EU Council, and three days of an emergency, extended EU Council Summit, Germany’s Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen narrowly won the approval of the EU Parliament to become EU Commission President for the next five years. She will take up her post on 01 November 2019, the day after the UK leaves the EU.

“The Parliamentary arithmetic”

Anti-democratic MPs in Westminster are fond of saying that “the Parliamentary arithmetic” will prevent Brexit from happening on 31 October 2019. This is despite the fact that “the People’s arithmetic” in 2016 resulted in a democratic majority to leave the European Union.

Below we present the EU Parliamentary arithmetic from yesterday evening’s vote to elect a new EU Commission President to replace Jean-Claude Juncker.

Brexit Facts4EU.org Summary

One candidate, 383 votes

Total eligible MEPs : 747
Votes required to win : 374
Votes received by Frau von der Leyen : 383
Frau von der Leyen won by just 9 votes
Population of the EU : 512 million
She received only 51.3% of the eligible 747 votes

The German Defence Minister made it by just nine votes out of the 747 MEPs who were eligible to participate. This was a one horse race. And that one horse won – just.

Observations

Clearly all Remainers will be up in arms today, declaring that this vote was undemocratic, that the electorate was lied to, that in any case they were old and ignorant and didn't know what they were doing, and that another vote is required. Oh, wait....

On a serious note, we really can't wait to hear the tortuous arguments of why this absurd process was in any way reasonable and democratic.

The events yesterday in Strasbourg were so farcical that they almost defy satire

62 years after its beginnings in 1957, this wannabe superstate still has not managed to create the remotest semblance of democratic legitimacy. Even the Russian Presidential elections last year had eight candidates to put before its people. The EU presented just one – to a gathering of 747 MEPs in Strasbourg.

The citizens of the EU have not voted for this woman - a deeply unpopular Defence Minister of the largest nation in the European Union. She was chosen out of the blue by 28 leaders (including Theresa May) and presented on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis to MEPs. She was no-one’s first choice, merely the last-minute, least-offensive option.

Frau von der Leyen is an ardent Euro-federalist and a fervent believer in the nascent EU army. We have not been able to find one single positive thing she has ever said about the United Kingdom. Even the EU-superstatist Guy Verhofstadt is (paradoxically) a huge fan of many things British and visits regularly.

We started this article talking about a one horse race, where one horse won. If there had been more than one candidate we would perhaps have likened it to a donkey derby.

The good news for Brexit

To end on a positive note, Frau von der Leyen’s bizarre appointment only reinforces the arguments for the UK to leave the EU as quickly as possible. Once again it has demonstrated to the British people the Democratic Deficit Disorder inherent in this sclerotic organisation.

To have a new EU Commission President who was German Defence Minister until yesterday, thoroughly disliked in her own country, with German defence forces in a chaotic state, and with her being personally embroiled in corruption investigations from her own Parliament….

Who would have thought the EU could possibly have given us anyone to rival Jean-Claude Juncker for Brexit value?

[ Sources: EU Parliament | EU Council ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org, 17 Jul 2019

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Reader Comments 13

1. James Bertram , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 06:39:

love the pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey - but you tagged the wrong arse (or 'Urse') here.

2. James Bertram , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 06:42:

WonderArse

3. Jon, Wales , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 06:57:

One may think back to the superb speech given by Nigel Farage (It's on youtube), where he exposed the election of Jean-Claude Juncker.
Mr Juncker was the only person MEPs could vote for, and worse, it was a SECRET BALLOT. At that time, Nigel was correct to say that surely any democratic vote means you have more than one candidate to choose from - not so with the EU.
Nigel was also correct to say at the time that all peoples in member countries had a right to know how their MEPs voted, and on that issue alone, we should request our MPs / MEPs find out the specifics?
Then we have the latest farce where they take the German defence Minister, Ms Von Der Leyen, (a 'fish out of water'), and eventually 'elect' her by SECRET BALLOT producing a nine vote majority - or by 51.3% of eligible votes (as in today's article), making her the new commission president, though not all MEPs voted. It would be laughable if it wasn't so serious.
Dear UK remainers, you just lost your argument regarding percentages, so I now look forward to MPs and MEPs calling foul play.
There may well be a positive with this farce, because ALL the federalists in that place who moaned and groaned and objected to the UK referendum, CANNOT now question its 52-48% outcome?
Indeed, Ms Von Der Leyen has less of a mandate in percentage terms, and it's reasonable to suggest half the MEPs are against her appointment. And that my friends is so-called democracy, EU style, and the sooner we're out the better.
As an aside, it was good to hear Martin Selmayr is quitting - and the pack of EU cards will fall - the sooner the better?

4. John T, Devon , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 07:15:

The whole thing is appalling. The 22 MEP's who abstained and especially the 14 who couldn't even be bothered to vote are disgraceful too. If they don't know or don't care about who should have the most powerful position in their organisation, then none of them should be there in the first place. If there is a candidate who you know is unfit for the position then vote against that person. They don't even use the tiny voice they have in the decision.

5. Sydney Ashurst , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 07:52:

The undemocratically elected Commission Head has already said she will illegally keep the UK in membership by granting a further Article 50 extension after October 31st.
An extension has to be requested by the Member State and the next PM would be a fool to do so even if it was legal.
The wording of paragraph 3 was precise, 'unanimously decides to extend this period'. The period in question being the two year period ending on 29th March 2019. The first extension was requested and granted before 29th March. The second extension to 31st October was granted outside of 'this period', i.e. after the 29th March and not extending the said period, as it had expired.
Lord Kerr commenting on 28th March 2017 said: “We needed a time limit in order to reassure the departing state that it could really depart — it would get out, it couldn’t be enmeshed forever in endless negotiation, it could escape.”
The current extension is pointless it is preventing the UK from escaping, holding us in an EU 'no mans land'. Parliament will not pass the Withdrawal Agreement as it stands and the extension prohibits any amendment.

6. Essex Brexiter , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 08:30:

I read that the EU granted the UK an extension to the 1st of June, only to allow time to ratify May's surrender treaty or a General Election.As neither happened we should have left. Barnier was always saying the EU is a rules based organisation, but that appears to apply only when it suits them.

7. barbara jell , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 08:54:

I think the British MEPs should be COMPELLED to tell us how they voted. After all, they are only there with our permission, supposedly representing Britain and AT OUR EXPENSE! A juicy £83,000 a year I believe. If they are a little coy, perhaps the request could be made under the Freedom of Information Act?

8. Sydney Ashurst , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 09:53:

By letter of 5 April 2019, the United Kingdom submitted a request for a further extension of the period provided for in Article 50(3) TEU, as extended by the European Council, until 30 June 2019, with a view to finalising the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement. (once again).
On 10 April 2019, the European Council agreed to a further extension to allow for the ratification of the
Withdrawal Agreement by both Parties. Such an extension should last as long as necessary and, in any event, no longer than 31 October 2019.
If the UK had not held elections to the European Parliament, then the extension would have ceased on
31 May 2019.
Both extensions have been granted to allow extra time to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement of which there is no sign of taking place.
A General Election has never been a condition, although Lord Kerr did make such a suggestion.
The legality of a second extension is queried in Article 50 TEU Part I and Part II (23.5.19) by Stanley Brodie QC.

9. Patrick F , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 09:54:

Dear Facts4eu,
For once I and Mrs Remainer agree with you.
In an EU population of 512 million, where was the diversity amongst the candidates? The MEPS only voted on gender, not the ability, leadership skills, or character of Mrs Leyderhosen. Only white privilege was the winner. So who should have won? Me. Why?
Since my gender reassignment and identification with BAME, the LGBT community, the People's vote, conversion to Islam and joining the Liberal Democrat Greens, I feel I am now eminently qualified to lead the EU into its next glorious phase.
We all have a right to change our bodies and our minds. Signal your virtue and vote for your Ego. For the few, not the many. All hail the project!
Rainbow Ego (formerly Ronnie Remainer)

10. Adam Hiley , Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 12:29:

Ursula Is another reason to leave the EU Loony Bin on 31/10/19 and make sure Johnson delivers it or both Parties will be crucified at the next election by a enraged and vengeful British Public

13 comments, page 1 of 2

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