Brussels, 09/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 9 April, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) celebrated its first anniversary. The ECI, which is symbolic of the fact that the gap is closing between the powers that be in Brussels and European citizens, is a success, albeit not a total success, as European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, who is responsible for inter-institutional relations and administration, noted.
Twenty-five citizens' initiatives have arrived at the European Commission. To date, 14 have been validated and the process of gathering one million signatures has begun. The signatures must be collected within 12 months, in at least 7 member states. Quantitative success is therefore a sure thing but, when it comes to the qualitative criterion, some predict proposals that are not serious, utopian or even anti-European.
“We are very much encouraged by the quality of the proposals”, mainly because initiatives proposed are “really reasonable ones, close to the citizens' hearts” and have “wider, European implications”, said Sefcovic on the sidelines of the European Citizens' Initiative Day 2013, organised by the European Economic and Social Council (EESC), in Brussels on Tuesday.
Some voices have been raised, however, calling for changes to the way the ECI works, or criticising the complexity or the daunting and bureaucratic nature of the system. The Commission has greeted these reproaches with understanding, seeking to find ad hoc solutions to the problems encountered by ECI organisers in computerised data management and the setting in place of systems for collecting electronic signatures.
A first review of the legislation will take place in April 2015. As Sefcovic stressed: “A delicate balance between user friendliness, data protection and MS specificities had to be struck for this first European transnational e-democracy instrument”.
The adventure has only just begun, however. None of the initiatives launched has reached the end of the process. The ECI Right2Water, which proposes to make access to water a fundamental right, comes closest. One million signatures have been collected but not in a sufficient number of countries.
True examination of ECI will perhaps begin on its second anniversary when the European Parliament has examined the first initiative. And when the Commission, followed by the EU Council, has had the opportunity to follow up, or not to follow up, the “voice of the people”, said EESC President Staffan Nilsson. (JK/transl.jl)