New EU Commission President nominee to prepare for Brexit Delay

[BlasterBates]

Quite. My interpretation of "democracy" tends to the view that any democratic vote is a choice between *at least two* candidates. The EU stands alongside Mugabe and a few unsavoury bedfellows in believing that offering a single candidate is that much easier for the proles to understand.

No you can't vote against candidates in non-democratic election. Von der Leyen very nearly didn't get voted in. That would not happen in a token election. It's comparable with a confidence vote in Parliament. It isn't assured.

[Mordac]

No you can't vote against candidates in non-democratic election. Von der Leyen very nearly didn't get voted in. That would not happen in a token election. It's comparable with a confidence vote in Parliament. It isn't assured.

So 48% think she's useless. With a bit of luck that might increase and her barking plans for a Federal state might yet fail.

[darmstadt]

Quite. My interpretation of "democracy" tends to the view that any democratic vote is a choice between *at least two* candidates. The EU stands alongside Mugabe and a few unsavoury bedfellows in believing that offering a single candidate is that much easier for the proles to understand.

Whereas the UK will shortly have a leader voted for by 160,000 primarily elderly middle class white men...

[Mordac]

Whereas the UK will shortly have a leader voted for by 160,000 primarily elderly middle class white men...

(Is that ageist, racist, classist or sexist, or all of the above?)

At least they have a choice* of 2 candidates.

*No, I agree it's not a great choice, but it's slightly better than being told "it's that or nothing..."

[darmstadt]

Then there's these un-elected representatives of the UK democratic process: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/brexit-prorogation-boris-johnson-lords-vote_uk_5d2f3b1fe4b0a873f6455727

[BlasterBates]

(Is that ageist, racist, classist or sexist, or all of the above?)

At least they have a choice* of 2 candidates.

*No, I agree it's not a great choice, but it's slightly better than being told "it's that or nothing..."

There was a choice of candidates and no majority for the other ones, so the candidates withdrew.

Of course they could have had a vote but it wouldn't have changed the result. When Nancy Pelosi was elected Speaker she was the only candidate.

[xoggoth]

Whereas the UK will shortly have a leader voted for by 160,000 primarily elderly middle class white men...

A leader who the UK electorate will be able to vote in or out in 34 months at most. Can't say that about any EU leader.

[darmstadt]

A leader who the UK electorate will be able to vote in or out in 34 months at most. Can't say that about any EU leader.

Or the day after he gets leadership if there is a vote of no confidence, in fact might not even become leader it the current leader doesn't believe he can command a majority

Leyen can actually be removed from office at any time...

[Mordac]

There was a choice of candidates and no majority for the other ones, so the candidates withdrew.

Of course they could have had a vote but it wouldn't have changed the result. When Nancy Pelosi was elected Speaker she was the only candidate.

Nancy Pelosi doesn't want the UK to be part of a Federal state largely against our will*, or if she does, she hasn't yet said so.

We can dance around the "that's the way it works" thing all day and into next week, but is it all really in the spirit of what we understand as democracy?

*Obviously some of you want it, or you wouldn't be so happy to defend her unopposed appointment.

[BlasterBates]

A leader who the UK electorate will be able to vote in or out in 34 months at most. Can't say that about any EU leader.

The whole EU Commission was sacked in the 1990's by the European parliament. MEPs can vote out the head of the Commission whenever they like.