(Facultad de Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, 2008-12) Álvarez, María Victoria
The creation of a directly elected parliamentary
body constitutes a milestone in the history of the bloc. Representatives to the Parliament will be elected by direct, universal and secret ballot in 2011. We analyze the creation of the Mercosur Parliament from both a political and a legal perspective,
with emphasis on its effects on the “democratic
deficit”. From a political point of view, the Mercosur Parliament could play an outstanding
role in the defence of democracy and human
rights, as well as the protection of interests of Member States’ populations. Additionally, direct elections to the Parliament could contribute
to enlarge the bloc’s democratic legitimacy. From a legal standpoint, however, the regional Parliament’s fragile legislative, budgetary and oversight powers seem to hinder any possibility
to overcoming the “democratic deficit” of the bloc.