Some smart alec at the European Commission decided that the best day to launch the European Citizen’s Initiative would be the first of April. As far as I know the April Fool tradition permeates most EU countries and if there are any which do not ‘celebrate’ it then they must surely have heard of it in being ‘celebrated’ in other countries.
The first of April is not a good idea to launch any kind of initiative and it is particularly inapt for the launching of an initiative that supposedly strengthens the democratic elements of an ailing European Union. So what is the ECI? If you follow the link provided earlier you will find out that the ECI opens up new possibilities for European citizens who could “force” the Commission’s hand into thinking about proposing new legislation.
Basically 7 EU citizens based in 7 different EU countries will be able to set up a committee (a “citizen’s committee”) that will then proceed to formulate a statement of intent and attempt to collect 1 million support signatures. The main obstacle (apart from getting the attention and support of 1 million EU citizens (electronically or on paper) is that the proposal must be in an area in which the Commission is already empowered to legislate.
It’s not easy. Organisations cannot technically form part of the citizen’s committee (so one would assume that pan-European organisations cannot suddenly become unique promoters of causes). On the other hand the initiative shows a lot of trust in electronic collection and promotion of the statements. Democracy does get to cross onto the net. Additionally the potential demos is increased – you do not have to be eligible to vote in your own country to take part in an ECI … you just have to be over 16.
A successful initiative that collects 1,000,000 signatures gets to be properly considered by the Commission and also gets the ear of the European Parliament. Furthermore the Commission, although not obliged to actually propose legislation, must provide a Communication addressing what it plans to do in response to the citizen’s initiative and must give reasons for every action or inaction.
The daunting size of the amount of signatures and the non-enforceability at the end of the tunnel must not discourage EU citizens. There are many positive signs in this new instrument – first among which is the acknowledgement of electronic democracy within the mechanisms of law making. Think ACTA – think how fast public support was whipped over the net. Does one million seem such a huge figure now?
Baby steps. I just wish they did not opt for the first of April for the launch.
One reply on “April’s Democratic Fool”
Check out http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/basic-facts
First the committee has to have a Minimum of 7 members RESIDING in 7 different states. Which is good for organisations that want to back up an initiative. From my reading one could have a committee of 18 people, 12 of whom would be in one place and citizens of one state, as long as there are 6 others spread around Europe who are also members.
Second, You do have to be 18 to participate, it’s only in Austria that you can be 16 (why? do Austrians mature early?).
Third, sure it’s good to see the commission adopt mainstream communications technology for doing it’s communicating. Even better, they seem to be providing an open source toolkit to be used for the electronic collection of signatures.
BUT this is a very far cry from “Democracy does get to cross onto the net”. Akkuza, you are a veritable blogger, I’d expect you to see the difference between practicing ‘democracy as usual’ but replacing paper and pen with e-tools and the proper way of bringing democracy and the net together i.e. doing democracy ala internet — viz. transitioning from mindless majoritarianisim to something more akin to deliberative democracy (think of it as going from Rousseau to Habermas ;-)