The nature of the EU legitimacy crisis and institutional constraints : defining the conditions for politicisation and partisanship

Would greater politicisation of the EU decision making assist EU legitimacy? If yes, how much can or should we politicize? Which institutional reforms are required to make the ‘politicisation’ a less risky development? These questions invite to reflect on the debate on ‘politicization’ in the light of the EU’s legitimacy challenge.To achieve this we need first to succinctly identify the nature of the legitimacy problems of the EU. Then, we can argue the requirements and expectations of the ‘politicisation/partisanship theses’. Thirdly, we need to discuss whether the preconditions, requirements, and expectations of politicisation/partisanship are present within and compatible with the institutional architecture of the European institutions. Eventually we can conclude whether politicisation/partisanship is indeed possible and which institutional adaptations are necessary conditions for it to contribute to improve the legitimacy of the EU institutions and legislation.