MEP Victor Negrescu proposed that MEPs who win their mandates by running on the lists of a European political party should automatically lose their seat in the European legislature if they switch to another European political family.

”Things look alarming. In the face of losing credibility, it takes courage and leadership to convince citizens to go to the polls. Citizens need to see the strength of their vote, they need to know the European political parties and their common candidates for the European Commission. I propose a ban on party switching at European level. Too many elected members of a European political family have switched to another European political group. By their decisions, they have undermined the credibility of European elections and betrayed the trust of citizens”, said Victor Negrescu, European Parliament Quaestor, in an intervention from the European democracy podium.

According to him, through these measures, Europe and the European legislature would set the tone and regain citizens’ trust in European democracy.

”With more transparency and clear rules we can ensure that citizens have confidence in the way the European Union works. Our joint proposals presented here add to the effectiveness of the European Parliament elections and in this context I propose that we support them together”, he said.

Citizens of the 27 Member States of the European Union are invited to go to the polls on 6-9 June 2024 for the European elections, which will establish the new configuration of the European Parliament for the 2024-2029 term.