and executed , 2004 can be seen as a crucial moment in the history of the EU .
With the accession of 10 new members with different historical trajectories and social models , and various modes of governance and political cultures , the space for various interests to be represented and the capacity to absorb differentiated constituencies expanded geographically and politically . This opened the possibility of forming and executing those authoritative allocations in a different way , not only on the basis of Member States ’ interests , but also on the basis of citizens ’ expectations .
“ How much information do we really need ? Make your choice in the European elections on 6 June .” Greek poster to promote the 2009 elections | © European Parliament
The 2004 elections were monumentally significant also because they provided a decisive step in legitimising Parliament as a pan-European project . Sending a diversified crop of new MEPs to Brussels and Strasbourg , Parliament had expanded its reputational power as representing a larger base of European citizens . This , in turn , gave Parliament increased
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