top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

Who’s democratic anyway?

In response to your article questioning democracy today... 

At least one state in the EU is not really democratic, but has an essentially “representative government”, as was usual in the Middle Ages!

The government of the United Kingdom has an unelected head of state; prime minister and ministers appointed by that head of state; an effectively appointed house of peers; an electoral register that is defective in that the royal family, the bishops and the other peers, and those outside the United Kingdom for more than 15 years are excluded.

Entry to the House of Commons also requires an oath of allegiance to the unelected head of state, which bars various elected members from entering the chamber of the Commons.

By contrast, the European Union has three presidents – all elected; a council of ministers appointed by “elected” governments, and a parliament all elected without any oath of allegiance.

All European citizens may be elected to these bodies. The commissioners, having been nominated by the member states’ “democratic” governments, are scrutinised by the council and the parliament, and the parliament may reject nominated persons, or dismiss the whole commission.

Peter M Hawkins, Morbihan

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France