Can Europe convince a cynical public of its merits?

THE European Parliament is seen as the “people’s voice” since all the MEPs are directly elected by the EU’s citizens.

Its power has grown so much over the past few decades that it is now the most, or the second-most, lobbied body in the world after the US Congress.

But does it have the power to do anything about the real issues that affect ordinary people — the people of Main Street rather than Wall Street? The number one problem of jobs and the economy? A quick survey of some of Ireland’s outgoing MEPs and candidates suggests so, though the attitude of the voters is not so clear.

Fine Gael’s Jim Higgins in North West says: “Europe is swept aside in the anger and fear among voters about jobs, holding onto their homes, trying to rear their families and worries about their pensions. Now and again Europe comes up, but not unless you raise it — what can Europe do is the question.”

Dublin’s Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa is distributing leaflets saying the parliament has a real role. “I am trying to emphasise the European dimensions. Europe has a task and role to play in recovery. People are picking up on this.”

Newcomer Susan O’Keeffe, running for Labour in North West, is certain she can make Europe work for Ireland: “I see the North West as the new engine for growth for Ireland and people like this plan. I am not a politician. I am the face of change and I am change.”

The last five years, more than any other, have shown the parliament is not a toothless tiger. It has made major changes to draft law, some of which has been praised by big business and employers, and others by trade unions and civil society.

Ways to deal with unemployment is mainly decided by individual member states because each has its own culture in terms of a social model and its labour market. But the EU can heavily influence broad issues such as labour conditions as we saw in the directive on temporary agency workers, giving them the same rights as permanent staff, says Nicolaus Heinen, of one of the world’s major banks, Deutsche Bank.

Increased competition across more open borders has already produced millions of new jobs, but more competition is needed, say economists, to achieve economic growth and create more jobs. The parliament played its role, with, for instance, the opening up of postal services throughout the EU. But Deutsche Bank regrets that they watered down the Services Directive because they feared the country of origin principle would mean a “race to the bottom” for workers and exempted health.

Even areas that may seem remote from job creation will have a direct influence — such as the regulation of financial markets in a bid to ensure less reckless gambling with people’s money.

IBEC, the voice of business in Ireland, says it is not clear what impact these measures will have on this country — one of the worst hit by the financial crisis, but there are other immediate benefits.

“Ireland will benefit directly from the financial support for energy projects and will get money towards the construction of the East West electricity interconnector between Ireland and Wales,” said IBEC.

As all EU spending has to get the blessing of the parliament, this gives the MEPs considerable power over policies.

“The world economy, European economy and Ireland’s economy will pick up. If leaders stick to their G20 promises, especially in terms of protectionism, Ireland is likely to benefit as one of the most open economies in the world,” says IBEC.

But it’s not just a matter of getting people back to work — it’s important to make sure the jobs are sustainable and provide a decent standard of living, says John Monks, head of the EU’s trade unions that come together as ETUC.

He has no doubt the parliament is an important body to have on their side.

They scored several successes with the last parliament, but not enough. “The next parliament can do better,” he says.

The outcome of these elections will shape the kind of employment and economic policies for years to come, as more centre right MEPs are more likely to suit business interests best while more Socialists will favour greater social and worker oriented policies.

The central right, European People’s Party to which Fine Gael belongs, is expected to remain the largest group while the Socialists to which Labour belong is expected to increase its seats but remain the second largest group.

The Liberals to which independent MEP Marian Harkin and which Fianna Fáil is now joining, could very well hold the balance of power between the two.