In her latest blog post, Pirate MEP Julia Reda declared that she voted for the conservative Jean-Claude Juncker in the recent election held on 15 July 2014. Her reasons were partly tactical and partly political.

Tactical:

The European Parliament had fought hard for the right to have input into the nomination process and voting for Juncker was a way to cement that right especially in the face of new anti-EU right wing parties. If he had not been selected, there was the  chance that the council would have declared the experiment a failure and resorted to the previous system. A system where national governments selected the President in back room deals, without any form of transparency. A strong European Parliament is a Pirate Party goal and PPEU nominated Amelia Andersdotter and Peter Sunde for the Comission Presidency.

Political:

Surprisingly Juncker is open to copyright reform. In answering a question put to him by Julia he said;

Copyright may not impede the digital ambitions of Europe, but must be an instrument to mobilize the European digital potential.

However, leaked documents and previous attitudes of the Commission demonstrate a need to be wary. Up until now only non-binding recommendations have been issued and nothing with any teeth. Other areas that Juncker has ticked Pirate policy boxes are:

• a digital single market
• breaking the blockade of data protection regulations in the Council
• an obligatory lobby register
• making public all documents relating to the TTIP negotiations
• board band rollout
• increased renewable energy power

Julia summed her action up;

At the same time, we have great differences – for example considering his position on asylum policy. However, as the only Pirate in parliament, I need to prioritize some issues over others. Hence, I made my decision mostly dependent on the core issues of the European Pirate Party’s common election platform.

The full text of Julia’s explanation can be read on her blog. Remember Julia is representing not only the Pirates of Germany but all of Europe. She is interested in your opinion.

You can reach her on:
@senficon
Facebook
Blog
Podcast

All Images: CC BY Julia Reda

About Andrew Reitemeyer

I joined the Pirate Party of Lower Saxony in Germany in April 2012, once I found out that non citizens were welcome to join and become active members of the Party.
I joined the Pirate Times soon after it was started as a proof reader and am now an editor and author. Since then I have returned to my native New Zealand and joined the Pirate Party of New Zealand.
Politically I come from the libertarian left and have, up to now, not regarded any political party as having a solution for the democratic deficit that envelops the world. With the advent of the Pirate Party, which truly embraces grass roots democracy, I have found a political home. The Pirate Times is a way I can contribute to furthering the Pirate Movement around the world.
Skype: frithogar

 

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In her latest blog post, Pirate MEP Julia Reda declared that she voted for the conservative Jean-Claude Juncker in the recent election held on 15 July 2014. Her reasons were…