Time for European Parliament to become democratic institution

THE new European Parliament kicked off its five-year term during the week, a term during which it will either grow up and become a properly democratic institution, or continue to languish in the twilight world the member states have created for it.

The ruling of the German Constitutional Court is sitting like an elephant in the corner of the great hemicycle where the MEPs meet in plenary.

The initial jubilation of the court ruling that the Lisbon treaty was compatible with German law has worn off and the impact of its argument is taking hold.