Ombudsman calls on Commission to make European Citizens’ Initiative politically relevant

The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, made proposals to strengthen the role that European Citizens' Initiatives (ECIs) play in democratic political debate at the European level in a set of recommendation issued in March 2015.

The Ombudsman called for better guidance for ECI organisers, a stronger involvement of the European Parliament and the Council and increased pressure on the Member States to make sure that all EU citizens can sign an ECI, regardless of where they reside.

The European Commission was expected to publish a review of the first three years of the ECI by the 1 April 2015.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key Source: The European Citizens' Initiative http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-european-citizens-initiative/

ESO: Background information: Implementation of the European Citizens' Initiative. The experience of the first three years http://www.europeansources.info/record/implementation-of-the-european-citizens-initiative-the-experience-of-the-first-three-years/

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