> It's not like they can't pass this locally if they want it

It wouldn't be the first time an unpopular or downright malicious law got pushed upstream:

- Data Retention Directive (UK)

- Press publishers' right (Germany, Spain)

- PNR Directive (UK, France)

- Chat control (Spain + few others)

- Mandatory fingerprints on national ID cards (Germany)

Personally, I really struggle to act on this as a voter, because at least in my country, EU works as a retirement home for washed politicans who then go to work with their hand already raised, usually against my interests. Given how widely unpopular some of these laws are, I suspect this might be a widespread issue.