On 26 January 2012 the European Commission organised the launching conference for the European Citizens’ Initiative in Brussels. The ECI, the first participatory democracy instrument on EU level, will be in force from April 1 in all 27 member states.
During the conference that was attended by about 400 participants the Commission’s Vice-President Maros Sefkovic presented the lately designed website for ECI including a section on legal issues, organisational advice and a registry to register proposals.
Denmark’s European Affairs minister Nicolai Wammen, in charge of the Council presidency, stressed in his keynote speech Denmark’s support to the Initiative and emphasised that the Danish Presidency is ready for the start on 1 April.
Committee of Region President Mercedes Bresso welcomed the possibility for European citizens to become more and engaged and promised her institution’s support to develop methods of assistance for interested citizens.
The ECI, made possible by the Lisbon Treaty, allows citizens from at least seven EU member states to suggest legislation to the Commission should they receive a minimum 1 million signatures in support within 12 months. The suggested legislative proposal must be in the area of competences of the European Union covered by the Lisbon Treaties and can be send in from April 1, 2012. The collection of signature for the initiative can be done by paper or by a specially developed open source software by the European Commission.
ALDA took part in the Warming up Conference and supports all engagement to increase citizens’ participation in the European Union
