Publication

A group of at least one million EU citizens will be able to invite the European Commission (EC) to submit a legislation proposal. This instrument known as the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is currently under discussion by EU institutions, although the debates focus on ECI technicalities, watering down the real significance of this tool of direct democracy. As a result, the future regulation on the ECI already raises concerns over whether or not the mechanism would ultimately boost participatory democracy and shape the EU’s civil society.