MEPs update Citizens’ Initiative rules to increase chances of requests being successfully tabled.
Brussels, Mar.13.– The European Parliament adopted on Tuesday new rules for the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), by 535 votes in favour, 90 against and 41 abstentions. The updated mechanism intends to enable as many citizens as possible to launch and support new initiatives and to strengthen participatory democracy.
A stronger voice in the EU
National authorities will check whether signatures are valid through random sampling. MEPs also urge member states to consider reducing the minimum age for participation to sixteen years.
Partial registration will become possible, so long as the relevant part of the initiative is not manifestly outside a Commission competence area. Once an ECI is successfully registered, the Parliament will be able to organise a public hearing involving those organising the initiative.
The Commission will have to set out its conclusions and any action it intends to take within six months, explaining in a clear and detailed manner its reasoning.
Digital support
(...)
[ Full text ]