... and that the solution to the European problem may be a radical shake up of the structure. One of the key features of any democratic system is a directly elected Parliament. The European Community has one in the shape of the European Parliament. The European Parliament started life as a rather powerless assembly under the European Coal and Steel Treaty, made up of MP's of the Member States. The power and influence of the Assembly grew and grew over the years being given power over the budget2 of the EEC in the budgetary treaties of 1970 and 1975. In 1976 the Council adopted an act which provided for the Assembly to become directly elected and on July 17th 1979 four hundred and ten3 MEP's were duly elected to office. The European Parliament, it can be argued is the most democratic institution in the European Community being the only one that is directly ...

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