Thread by @Louis_Drounau

.@VMalingre notes (via @lemondefr) that 3 #EU States have #French as official language, but only 2 have #English (post #Brexit). Should French replace English as the default language in EU institutions? 🇪🇺 Quick thread on voting systems👇 #IamEuropean
lemonde.fr/international/…

A simple first-past-the-post vote in the @EUCouncil on which language to use would probably see each country voting for its own language. 3 would vote for French 🇫🇷, 2 for English 🇬🇧. French wins. But, can we really expect this decision to be consensual and accepted?

In the @EU_Commission, 85% of documents are first drafted in English 🇬🇧 and only 4% in French 🇫🇷, compared to 40% in 1997 (source: @lemondefr). @EUCouncil meetings now also commonly take place in English, attesting of participants' preference of English.

.@EUCouncil members' second or third linguistic choice (after their own national language) would reflect this strong preference for English 🇬🇧. Unlike first-past-the-post, more inclusive voting systems (#majorityjudgment, single transferable vote) lead to more accepted outcomes.

This example highlights the importance of going beyond people's 1st choice when making group decisions, as we do in democracies. Innovative voting systems can help better capture citizens' opinions & lead to more consensual outcomes (vs. simply the largest minority). @mieux_voter

And, just for those who still think that, since #French is official language in 3 countries, it ought to return to being the default language of the #EU, keep in mind that #German is official language in 4 Member States! #Germany #Austria #Belgium #Luxembourg 🇩🇪🇦🇹🇧🇪🇱🇺