The environment is the top matter of priority for reinventing Europe, according to an estimated 1.5 million European citizens who took part in the WeEuropeans civic campaign organised by the CIVICO EUROPA association and the MAKE.ORG civic platform, the results of which will be officially presented at the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday 22 March in the presence of the President of the European institution, Antonio Tajani.
Respondents called for a greater level of action at EU level to reduce the use of plastics (biodegradable packaging, financial incentives for recycling), to promote renewable energy (tax measures), to preserve biodiversity and to penalise major polluters through taxation.
The other four key areas in respect of which participants made the most concrete proposals concerned democratic participation (better information on the functioning of the European institutions, promoting citizen participation in European affairs, stronger fight against corruption, reduction of bureaucracy), defence of social rights (harmonisation of labour rights, guaranteeing a decent pension for all, strengthening health systems), taxation (fight against tax evasion, increased taxation of multinationals) and education.
"Immigration does not appear as a major concern,” notes the organisers of the consultation, in which British citizens did not participate. More information can be found at: http://bit.ly/2TVuSWq. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)