The faceless forces behind EU decisions

ALL across the EU next May, citizens will vote in a new crop of politicians to the European Parliament who will make decisions on thousands of pieces of legislation that affect their everyday lives. But who is really running Europe, and who is really making the decisions?

A book by Irish author David Cronin and a study by a research and campaign group Corporate Europe Observatory say very clearly the politicians and the European Commission are increasingly doing the bidding of big business.

Expert groups that advise on the content of new rules are top-heavy with corporate interests while the revolving door of “experts” moving between big companies, central banks, and political jobs is increasing.