The EU is not democratic. The comission can basically dictate the direction. The MEP's can rubber stamp it or not. If they don't the comission can keep trying until they do. And then after the MEP's the nations leaders can veto stuff.

So the reason its by country is because we only have some say about our own MEP's. I can't contact an MEP of a different country credibly because they do not represent me. I can't vote them out. Even if there is a phenomenal party that I love if its not in my own country I can't vote for them.

That means everyone in their own countries must assist to get them to vote things down. I am a single issue voter when it comes down to stuff liie this. If they vote in favor I never vote for them again.