A “citizen initiative” that will give EU citizens a greater voice in proposing laws, was approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday. The initiative will require lawmakers to consider drafting into law any proposal that has the support of at least a million EU citizens, according to a European Parliament press release.
In order to begin collecting signatures—either on paper or online—a “citizens’ committee” will need to register it with the European Commission, which will then do an admissibility check. At least a quarter of individuals in the citizens’ committee will need to be from EU member states. If the campaign can then raise a million signatures, the proposal will need to be considered.
The new legislation is set to take effect in January 2012, and is expected to be formally adopted by the council in a few weeks.
“The citizens’ initiative is a unique opportunity. For the first time citizens can now get together and let us know if we are doing our jobs properly. We need this badly,” MEP and Co-rapporteur Zita Gurmai said in a press release.
In order to begin collecting signatures—either on paper or online—a “citizens’ committee” will need to register it with the European Commission, which will then do an admissibility check. At least a quarter of individuals in the citizens’ committee will need to be from EU member states. If the campaign can then raise a million signatures, the proposal will need to be considered.
The new legislation is set to take effect in January 2012, and is expected to be formally adopted by the council in a few weeks.
“The citizens’ initiative is a unique opportunity. For the first time citizens can now get together and let us know if we are doing our jobs properly. We need this badly,” MEP and Co-rapporteur Zita Gurmai said in a press release.
