“EU electoral systems: Europe cannot lead without leaders voters choose”

Key points

• Europe aims to find a single leader to represent it in potential negotiations with Russia and the US.
• Czech President Petr Pavel and Finland’s Alexander Stubb are top contenders with direct mandates.
• Most EU leaders rise via party insiders rather than broad public persuasion.
• Electoral rules in several EU states hinder voters from choosing top candidates.
• Reforms like transnational lists and Spitzenkandidaten proposals remain stalled.