Fidesz’s delegation to the European Parliament has rejected what it called “blackmail” by the legislative body regarding the future introduction of transnational electoral lists.
The Fidesz group reacted to the EP’s approval of changes to the number of MEPs to reflect demographic changes in member states. Under the changes, the size of the assembly will increase from the current 705 MEPs to 716, while 28 seats would be reserved for future lawmakers elected from so-called transnational electoral lists. The EP cautioned that the European Council must swiftly approve a resolution on the changes so that they could be implemented by member states in time for next year’s European parliamentary elections. Fidesz said in a statement that the EP’s “left-wing majority” had forced its proposal on the introduction of transnational lists into the bill on the changes to the legislative body’s composition in an attempt to put pressure on the Council of the EU. They noted that the EP was required to put forward a proposal on the number of MEPs per member state during each parliamentary cycle. But, they insisted, the EP’s “pro-federation majority” wanted to use the member state seats to blackmail the Council into introducing transnational lists. Fidesz MEP László Trócsányi said the majority of member states opposed transnational lists, adding that they would not make the operations of the EP more democratic. Instead, they would result in smaller member states and national parties losing influence on European affairs, he added. Fidesz’s MEPs, therefore, did not support the proposal, Trócsányi said.