The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is a powerful tool that allows EU citizens to directly influence the direction of EU legislation. Introduced in 2012, the ECI empowers people across Europe to propose new laws on issues they care about, giving them a voice in the European Union’s decision-making process.
Through the European Citizens’ Initiative, any EU citizen can suggest new legislation on matters where the EU has the power to act. This includes areas like the environment, public health, consumer protection, and social justice. To launch an initiative, a group of at least seven EU citizens from different member states must come together to form a citizens’ committee and register their initiative with the European Commission.
Once the initiative is registered, the committee has 12 months to collect at least 1 million signatures from EU citizens across at least seven different member states. Each of these countries must meet a minimum threshold of signatures based on population size. This signature collection process is vital, as it demonstrates the widespread support required for the initiative to proceed.
If the European Citizens’ Initiative meets all requirements, the European Commission must review the proposal. The Commission can then decide whether to propose new legislation or take other actions based on the citizens’ suggestions. Even if the Commission does not act, the initiative raises awareness of important issues and puts pressure on EU policymakers to address public concerns.
The European Citizens’ Initiative is a crucial tool for strengthening democracy in the EU. It brings EU citizens closer to the legislative process, ensuring that their voices are heard on the issues that matter most. With the power to propose new laws, the ECI enhances participation and makes the European Union more responsive to its citizens’ needs.
Steps to Submit a European Citizens’ Initiative:
- Proposal Submission: A group of at least seven EU citizens, each from a different EU member state, must first form a “citizens’ committee” to launch an initiative. They submit their proposal to the European Commission, outlining the specific legal action they want the EU to take.
- Registration: The European Commission reviews the proposal and decides if it meets the necessary criteria (e.g., within the EU’s competencies, not contrary to EU values). Once accepted, the initiative is officially registered, allowing the organizers to start collecting signatures.
- Signature Collection: To make an initiative eligible for consideration, the organizers must gather at least 1 million signatures from EU citizens across at least seven EU member states. In addition, each country has a minimum threshold of signatures based on population size.
- Verification of Signatures: Once 1 million signatures are collected, they must be verified by the national authorities in each of the relevant member states to ensure their validity.
- Submission to the European Commission: After verification, the initiative is formally submitted to the European Commission, which must respond within six months. The Commission can either propose legislation, take other actions, or decide not to take action, explaining its reasons.
- Possible Follow-Up: If the Commission decides to take action, it may submit a legislative proposal to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. These institutions would then debate, amend, and potentially adopt the proposed law.
For more information on how the European Citizens’ Initiative works, visit the official EU portal and learn how to get involved in shaping the future of Europe.
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