ECR MEPs have today backed proposals to give citizens a greater say in EU policy making by strengthening the European Citizen’s Initiative (ECI).

The ECI is a type of petition that if it reaches one million signatures from EU citizens (from at least one quarter of Member States) can formerly call on the European Commission to initiate legislation, in areas it has competence. Introduced in the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007, the ECI was a step in the right direction for the EU, but it has had limited success so far. The current regulation has been widely criticised for burdening citizens with legal and bureaucratic hurdles. It has also been subject to criticism due to inadequate responses from the European Commission. Today, ECR MEPs backed a new regulation, which will strengthen the ECI, by reducing burdensome red tape and improving accessibility for citizens. The new measures will ensure that the Commission give practical support to citizens petitioning for change, especially to those with disabilities. They will also give citizens more flexibility with timing and implement a new online registration system, which is set to simplify registration processes and ensure full transparency throughout the process. ECR MEPs believe the Commission should be held accountable to EU citizens and therefore fully support the strengthening of the ECI. This is a step in the right direction, bringing the EU closer to its citizens.