The current framework in which national parties run campaigns for European elections based on national agendas defies the whole idea of European election and a European Parliament. Groups like the Party of European Socialists or the European People's Party do not have a common political platform or consciousness. Candidates in European elections should debate EU issues, such as reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, illegal immigration, climate change or security of energy supplies. Instead they are consumed, in most cases, by contests that become referenda to measure national government popularity. This results in low understanding of the purpose of European elections and the European Parliament, and, of course, in the indifference of the electorate and in low participation rates. Establishing common European parties (rather than umbrella organisation like the current groupings in the European Parliament) which will run common campaigns across the EU and debate EU issues in a direct and informative way, will help increase the political value of European elections.