Do you consider being an MEP or local MP to be more prestigious?
June 20, 2025
Title says it all.
Which do you consider someone being elected as an MEP or an MP to be a more prestigious position?
4 comments
Becoming an MEP is generally considered to be a way your own political party uses to get rid of you via cushy job.
The EP is generally called “elephants graveyard”, as it is where the old guard’s political careers go to die.
MP no question.
You actually have to campaign and get in touch with your community, do real work. Who gets to be MEP depends more on party politics than who the people want. In some cases MEPs earn more than MPs in other cases they don’t but the general understanding is that being a MEP is a cushy job with relatively little to do.
MEP spots are mostly for political retirement, politicians who didn’t fit in a local parliament lists or party leaders don’t want them in the country, but can’t kick them out either. The turnout is low and the campaign is about domestic issues.
Also these elections are pretty pointless, since EPP/S&D coalition will govern in the EU for the next centuries and that won’t change.
What type of “local MP” are you asking about? Really local, on municipality level, or maybe district or federal state parlaments?
4 comments
Becoming an MEP is generally considered to be a way your own political party uses to get rid of you via cushy job.
The EP is generally called “elephants graveyard”, as it is where the old guard’s political careers go to die.
MP no question.
You actually have to campaign and get in touch with your community, do real work. Who gets to be MEP depends more on party politics than who the people want. In some cases MEPs earn more than MPs in other cases they don’t but the general understanding is that being a MEP is a cushy job with relatively little to do.
MEP spots are mostly for political retirement, politicians who didn’t fit in a local parliament lists or party leaders don’t want them in the country, but can’t kick them out either. The turnout is low and the campaign is about domestic issues.
Also these elections are pretty pointless, since EPP/S&D coalition will govern in the EU for the next centuries and that won’t change.
What type of “local MP” are you asking about? Really local, on municipality level, or maybe district or federal state parlaments?