National parliaments in Brussels – lack of tools or lack of interest?

Two thirds of Dutch citizens have a favorable view of the EU, up from 50% last year (Pew, June ’17). Thank you Brexit, I suppose. I am a member of what now is the majority.

But of course, many reasons for not being utterly in love with the EU do exist – some based on facts, some on myths. One factor is the communication of our government, and especially our politicians.

Because whenever something fun ‘comes out of Brussels’, the government is happy to claim it as its own merit. And whenever something not-so-fun has to be implemented, we ‘must do it because of Brussels’.

This logic is, or course, universal – I have yet to hear of a politician claiming responsibility for our last global economic crisis, but we understand that the current upswing is all thanks to the fiscal responsibility/anti-cyclic stimulation/thoughts and prayers of those who are now in power.

And whilst logical things can no longer be taken for granted in this day and age, it seems unlikely that this logic will change. Too bad. But we have survived this far, so I am sure we will be alright.

However, it does become problematic if unjustly avoiding or claiming responsibility changes into something else: disinterest in the actual matters at hand. However minute the impact of the Dutch government might be on the economy of a globalized world, we still appreciate it if attention is paid to the topic. The same applies to the European Union. The majority of our laws is either a direct or indirect consequence of decisions made in Brussels. Please do pay attention.

Which brings me to last Tuesday. Professor emeritus Jaap de Zwaan, probably the thought leader on European Union cooperation, organized a masterclass for members of parliament, their staff and other ‘parliamentary residents’. The subject: how can the Dutch Lower and Upper House effectively shape European rules?

The number of (newly elected) parliamentarians attending: 0.

Which is not to say nobody was interested – the room was at capacity. Those people who were attending, including two MEPs and a broad variety of lobbyists, shared the broad consensus that there are enough tools available to the Dutch parliament. These tools include formal procedures, such as the yellow and orange cards and ratification power. But more importantly, the informal tools, allowing for information and influence via MEPs accross party lines, Dutch civil servants in the Netherlands and Brussels, other national parliaments. And perhaps even the use of societal and sectoral organisations based in Brussels. The issue is that all these tools are simply are not used to their full extent.

Which, as far as I am concerned, gives the Dutch parliamentarians two options.

You could decide that your role does not reach beyond our borders, even though our lives do. Put any thoughts about a democratic deficit to bed, believe that what happens in the rest of the EU is out of your hands, and leave it up to the cabinet to represent the Netherlands in Brussels.

Or perhaps, another way would be preferable. Go to work, and start paying attention to what happens in the EU. Use the tools that already exist, try to get other tools if you need them. Show us your interest, and share your efforts.

And sure, if you opt for the latter option, feel free to claim any positive outcome as your own victory. We are used to it.