However I disagree with your point that pan-European party politics would not work. I think that if there was a shift in the attitude of the elites in the EU then we could have a dose of competitive politics which would provide more legitimacy. Quite a lot of the problems of the EU seem to stem from people losing out from the reform proces and so they blame the EU because the system isn’t open for debate on issues and so people become bitter when they lose out. To counter this the EU needs to open up its system to try and involve the public. For example if the election of the President of the Commission was more competitive with party and national leaders stating beforehand who they were supporting, this would increase public and media interest in the process if different candidates were putting forward different agendas. Further to try and foster cross-institutional coalitions, more could be at stake in elections to the EP, for example making rapporteurs and committee positions based more around elections results rather than equality. Also if the Council opened up their workings this would further improve the EUs legitimacy as then people would be able to see the decisions that their Government are making.
These changes would, I believe, bring about a fundamental change in EU politics as if there are different coalitions putting forward different policy agendas, then this would increase debate and so give legitmacy to the EU’s decisions. People simply like a soap opera, and if there are signs of clashes and drama at the EU then the press will flock to it.

Keep up the good work!