How to address the democratic deficit? EU must listen toits citizens and ‘humanize' the news

THERE is a democratic deficit in Europe. Participation in European elections is so low that Pat Cox, president of the European Parliament, has declared it a “huge job” that has to be addressed for the 2004 elections. With rates of voter turnout averaging out at below 40% (and significantly lower in countries such as the UK and the Netherlands), MEPs do not have a full democratic mandate.