Brussels, 02/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The state of democracy in the European Union, following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, will be analysed on Wednesday 3 November in Turin, during a colloquy organised at the university by the Turin Centre for Federalism Studies, Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) in Rome and the Paris-based Our Europe association. The European Commission's permanent representation in Italy will also be taking part.
The debate will focus on how to improve citizens' participation in the European integration process. Three problem areas will be subject to detailed scrutiny: the role of the European Parliament, strengthened by the treaty, and that of the European political parties, which are expected to look at ways of resolving the democratic deficit in the European project. The other issues will include the challenges related to the possible legislative initiative from European citizens and the increasing role of the national parliaments in the European legislative process. (Gp./transl.jl)