The European Union (EU) entered a new stage in the process of
reducing the deficit of democratic legitimation of its politics. April 1st
marks the start of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). The ECI is new instrument for EU citizens to participate directly in influencing the development and setting of European law (e.g. regulations and directives).
To look back: The Lisbon Treaty of December 2009 brought
about major changes in the architecture of the EU e.g. concerning competences
of and decision-making by the European Council, the Council of Ministers, the
European Commission and the European Parliament. A further innovation the Lisbon treaty brought about is the ECI. Its legal basis is Article 11: “Not
less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of
Member States may take the initiative of inviting the European Commission,
within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on
matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for
the purpose of implementing the Treaties”.
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