EU needs to regain credibility among citizens

Former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing has called on EU leaders to put forward a vision for Europe to inspire citizens, boost confidence and develop a shared sense of belonging.

According to Joaquín Almunia, the EU competition commissioner, national politicians have left Brussels technocrats with the unenviable task of explaining austerity decisions taken at European level to their public opinion, undermining trust in the EU’s political system and democracy at large.

EurActiv, 16.10.13: Almunia: EU’s problem is unaccountability, not economic liberalism http://www.euractiv.com/eu-elections-2014/almunia-eu-problem-economic-libe-news-531106

ESO: Background information: Parliament VP: 'Be careful tightening transparency measures' http://www.europeansources.info/record/parliament-vp-be-careful-tightening-transparency-measures/

EUObserver [Opinion], 17.10.13: All eyes on the integrity of the 2014 European elections http://euobserver.com/opinion/121806

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