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BackThis week, the responsible committees in the European Parliament (EP) discussed the first draft reports in respect of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). Naturally, the rapporteurs did not quite adhere to the proposal of the EU Commission and suggested a number of changes. It was among others requested that the organisers of a citizens' initiative should join together in a citizens' committee. In the opinion of the rapporteurs, the admissibility check requested by the Commission should be carried out when an ECI was registered and not only after 300,000 signatures had been collected.
EP demands citizens' committee in at least seven Member States
The rapporteurs drew up their reports under the premise that a citizens' initiative should be organised in a simple and user friendly manner. However, on closer inspection of the MEPs' proposals, one might gain a different impression on occasions. One of the requests is to implement a minimum organizational structure to carry out a citizens' initiative successfully. This structure should have the form of a citizens' committee, which consists of at least seven natural persons (organisers) coming from at least seven different Member States. Neither the Commission nor the Council had made such a proposal. Whether this makes organising an ECI easier, remains to be seen; certainly not at first glance. According to the EP, only citizens (natural persons) should be organisers. Legal persons should not have to opportunity of organising an ECI. This is also a new request by the EP.
Admissibility check of an ECI should take place when registering an ECI
According to the EP, an ECI should be checked in respect of its admissibility right at the beginning and not only after 300,000 signatures have been collected, as suggested by the Commission or after 100,000 Signatures, as proposed by the Council. This request made by the EP should definitely be welcomed. Also the proposal that the signatures for an ECI should come from at least one fifth of all EU Member States, instead of a third, as was requested by the Commission. Furthermore, the obligation of providing an ID card number or another identification number on signing an ECI should be cancelled. A controversial request as it removes the opportunity from the Member States to verify a signature.
EP and Council plan to vote on the citizens' initiative before the end of December
Having taken its time to draw up the draft reports, the EP is now speeding up. The responsible committees intend to vote on any amendments in only two weeks. The plenary vote on the overall report should be held in December. The Council too intends to vote on the ECI in December. Should EP and Council reach an agreement, the first citizens' initiatives could soon materialize.
Further information:
Draft report of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the EP on the ECI
Draft report of the Petitions Committee of the EP on the ECI
Press release of the European Parliament on the ECI
The rapporteurs drew up their reports under the premise that a citizens' initiative should be organised in a simple and user friendly manner. However, on closer inspection of the MEPs' proposals, one might gain a different impression on occasions. One of the requests is to implement a minimum organizational structure to carry out a citizens' initiative successfully. This structure should have the form of a citizens' committee, which consists of at least seven natural persons (organisers) coming from at least seven different Member States. Neither the Commission nor the Council had made such a proposal. Whether this makes organising an ECI easier, remains to be seen; certainly not at first glance. According to the EP, only citizens (natural persons) should be organisers. Legal persons should not have to opportunity of organising an ECI. This is also a new request by the EP.
Admissibility check of an ECI should take place when registering an ECI
According to the EP, an ECI should be checked in respect of its admissibility right at the beginning and not only after 300,000 signatures have been collected, as suggested by the Commission or after 100,000 Signatures, as proposed by the Council. This request made by the EP should definitely be welcomed. Also the proposal that the signatures for an ECI should come from at least one fifth of all EU Member States, instead of a third, as was requested by the Commission. Furthermore, the obligation of providing an ID card number or another identification number on signing an ECI should be cancelled. A controversial request as it removes the opportunity from the Member States to verify a signature.
EP and Council plan to vote on the citizens' initiative before the end of December
Having taken its time to draw up the draft reports, the EP is now speeding up. The responsible committees intend to vote on any amendments in only two weeks. The plenary vote on the overall report should be held in December. The Council too intends to vote on the ECI in December. Should EP and Council reach an agreement, the first citizens' initiatives could soon materialize.
Further information:
Draft report of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the EP on the ECI
Draft report of the Petitions Committee of the EP on the ECI
Press release of the European Parliament on the ECI