Activities of Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT related to 2010/0074(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Citizens’ initiative (debate)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the citizens’ initiative
Amendments (49)
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) These procedures and conditions should be clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate to the nature of the citizens' initiative, so as to encourage participation by citizens and to make the Union more accessible.
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) It is important that information campaigns concerning citizens' initiatives be organised, in order to raise citizens' awareness and to provide accurate information on this new instrument. The Commission and the European Parliament, via their respective representations and offices in the Member States, should upon request provide citizens with information and informal advice about citizens' initiatives, notably as regards the admissibility criteria, the values and competencies of the Union and the European Treaties. A user's guide to the citizens' initiatives should be prepared in every official language of the Union and should be available online.
Amendment 39 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) It is important to involve young people and to encourage them to participate in the citizens' initiatives. Therefore, in the long term, a European system for the verification of signatures should be set up. This would make it possible to have one common minimum age for signing purposes throughout the Union.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) It is crucial that transparency be maintained throughout the whole process. Therefore, any financial or political support received should be indicated in the statement of support form relating to each citizens' initiative. Funding by political parties and European political groups should not be permitted.
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Commission should, within a period of two months after receiving a request from the organisers, adopt a decision on its admissibility. A proposed citizens' initiative should be considered admissible if it does not run counter to the values of the Union, is not abusive or devoid of seriousness, falls within the framework of the powers of the Commission and concerns a matter where a legal act of the Union can be adopted for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Commission should examine a citizens' initiative and set out its conclusions and the actions it envisages to take in response to it, within a period of fourthree months.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) In the case of citizens' initiatives in respect of which one million statements of support have been collected, the European Parliament can at any time call on the Commission to explain the actions it intends to take or, as the case may be, its decision not to take any action, and the reasons for doing so. In exercising its powers the European Parliament can at any time hold hearings of the organisers or adopt a resolution. The organisers may also present a petition to the European Parliament on the subject, if the criteria for doing so are met.
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) These procedures and conditions should be clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate to the nature of the citizens' initiative, so as to encourage participation by citizens and to make the Union more accessible. They should strike a judicious balance between rights and obligations.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) It is important that information campaigns concerning citizens' initiatives be organised, in order to raise citizens' awareness and to provide accurate information on this new instrument. The Commission and the European Parliament, via their respective representations and offices in the Member States, should upon request provide citizens with information and informal advice about citizens' initiatives, notably as regards the registration criteria, the values and competencies of the Union and the European Treaties. A user's guide to the citizens' initiatives should be prepared in every official language of the Union and should be available online.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – point 3
Article 2 – point 3
3. "Organiser" means a natural or legal person or organisatiperson responsible for the preparation and submission of a citizens" initiative to the Commission.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. Where tThe organiser is a natural person, that persons shall be a citizens of the Union and be of the age to be entitled to vote in the European elections. They should not be currently serving as directly elected politicians. The organisers shall form a citizens' committee of at least seven persons coming from at least one fourth of the Member States. The organisers shall designate a contact person for the Organising Committee.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7a (new)
Recital 7a (new)
(7a) It is important to involve young people and to encourage them to participate in citizens' initiatives. Therefore, in the long term, a European system for the verification of signatures should be set up. This would make it possible to have one common minimum age for signing purposes throughout the Union.
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12a (new)
Recital 12a (new)
(12a) It is crucial that transparency be maintained throughout the whole process. Therefore, any financial or political support received should be indicated in the statement of support form relating to each citizens' initiative. Funding by political parties and European political groups should not be permitted.
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – title
Article 4 – title
Registration and admissibility of a proposed citizens’ initiative
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Except in the casThe Commission shall, within two months from the request foreseen in paragraphs 3 and 4, the Commission shall register without delay the propo registration referred to in paragraph 1, take a decision on admissibility. The proposed citizens' initiative shall be considered admissible and therefore registered if it satisfies the following conditions: – it cannot be reasonably regarded as improper becaused initiative under a unique registration numt is abusive or devoid of seriousness; – it does not run counter to the values of the Union; – it concerns a matter where a legal act of the Union can ber and send a confirmation to the organiserdopted for the purpose of implementing the Treaties; and – it falls within the framework of the powers of the Commission to make a proposal.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Prior to initiating the collection of statements of support from signatories for a proposed citizens' initiative, the organisers shall be required to register it with the Commission, providing the information set out in Annex II, in particular on the subject-matter and objectives as well as on the sources of funding and support for the proposed citizens' initiative. of the proposed citizens' initiative. The organisers shall provide, for the register defined in the third subparagraph and where appropriate on their website, regularly updated information on all sources of support and funding for the initiative. Funding by political parties and European political groups shall not be permitted. This information shall be provided in one of thr more official languages of the Union, in an online register made available for that purpose by the Commission (hereafter "the register"). Information in an official language other the language(s) in which it was originally provided may be provided subsequently for entry in the register. The translation of the initiative into other official languages of the Union shall be the responsibility of the organisers.
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. AThe decision on admissibility shall be notified to the organisers of the proposed citizens' initiative thaand shall be made public. It shas been registered shall be made public in the registerll also include an indication as to which legal act or measures the Commission considers that it is appropriate to take if one million statements of support are collected in favour of that citizens' initiative. The Commission may always modify that indication at the moment when it adopts its decision on whether or not to go forward with a citizens' initiative.
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. The organiser shall be responsible for the collection of the necessary statements of support from signatories for a proposed citizens' initiative which has been registered and declared admissible in accordance with Article 4.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) It is crucial that transparency be maintained throughout the whole process. Therefore, any financial or political support received should be indicated in the statement of support form relating to each citizens' initiative. Funding by political parties and European political groups should not be permitted.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
At the end of that period, the register shall indicate that the period has expired and, where appropriate, that the Commission has ascertained that the necessary statements of support have not been submitted.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Prior to initiating the collection of statements of support from signatories, the organisers shall ensure that the online collection system used for that purpose complies with the provisions of paragraph 4. The organisers may, at any time, ask the relevant competent authority of the Member State in which the data collected is or will be stored, to certify that the online collection system complies with those provisions. The organisers shall, in any case, request that certification prior to submitting statements of support for verification in accordance with Article 9initiating the collection of statements of support. The organisers shall make a copy of the certificate issued in that regard publicly available on the website used for the online collection system. Within six months following the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall make available an open-source software incorporating some of the technical and security features necessary for compliance with the provisions of this Regulation regarding the online collection systems. The software shall be freely made available to organisers. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament of the state of progress in the creation of the open- source software by no later than three months after the entry into force of this Regulation.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Signatories shall be considered as coming from the Member State which issued the identification document indicated in theiere they have their permanent residence. A signatory who is not a national of the Member State in which he or she permanently resides may choose to be considered as coming either from the Member State in which he or she permanently resides or from the Member State of which he or she is a national. A signatory permanently resident in a third country shall be considered as coming from the Member sStatement of support of which he or she is a national.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The organiser shall submit statements of support to the Member State that issued the identification document indicated thereinwhere the signatories have their permanent residence. A signatory who is not a national of the Member State in which he or she permanently resides may choose to be considered as coming either from the Member State in which he or she permanently resides or from the Member State of which he or she is a national. In cases where signatories have their permanent residence in a third country, the organiser shall submit statements of support to the Member State of which they are nationals.
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
After having obtained the certificates provided for in Article 9(2), and provided that all relevant procedures and conditions set out in this Regulation have been complied with, the organisers may submit the citizens’ initiative to the Commission. When doing so, the organisers shall provide the Commission with precise and detailed information concerning all the sources of support and funding received for the citizens' initiative. Funding by political parties and European political groups shall not be permitted.
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Signatories shall be considered as coming from the Member State which issued the identification document indicated in their statement of support. ere they have their permanent residence. A signatory who is not a national of the Member State in which he or she permanently resides may choose to be considered as coming either from the Member State in which he or she permanently resides or from the Member State of which he or she is a national. A signatory permanently resident in a third country shall be considered as coming from the Member State of which he or she is a national.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15
Article 15
The Commission may adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Articles 16, 17 and 18,: – technical specifications for online collection systems pursuant to Article 6(5); – amendments to the Annexes tof this Regulation.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21
Article 21
Amendment 110 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8
Article 8
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. After having collected the necessary statements of support from signatories in accordance with Articles 5 and 7, and provided that the Commission has decided that a proposed citizens' initiative is admissible in accordance with Article 84, the organiser shall submit the statements of support, in paper or in electronic form, to the relevant competent authorities provided for in Article 14 for verification and certification. For this purpose the organiser shall use the form set out in Annex VI.
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The organiser shall submit statements of support to the Member State that issued the identification document indicated thereinwhere the signatories have their permanent residence. A signatory who is not a national of the Member State in which he or she permanently resides may choose to be considered either as coming either from the Member State in which he or she permanently resides or from the Member State of which he or she is a national. In cases where signatories have their permanent residence in a third country, the organiser shall submit statements of support to the Member State of which they are nationals.
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – box 2 – point 5 a (new)
Annex III – box 2 – point 5 a (new)
5a. all sources of support and funding received in respect of the proposed citizens' initiative.
Amendment 119 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point a
a. publish the citizens' initiative without delay on its website, in all the official languages of the Union;
Amendment 119 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraphs 1 a and 1 b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraphs 1 a and 1 b (new)
Organisers shall form a "citizens' committee" composed of persons coming from at least one fifth of Member States. If the organisers are members of national parliaments or members of the European Parliament, they shall not be counted for the purposes of reaching the minimum number required to form a citizens' committee.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b
b. examine the citizens' initiative and, within 4three months, set out in a communication its conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its reasons for doing so.
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. With regard to citizens' initiatives in respect of which one million statements of support have been collected, the European Parliament can at any time call on the Commission to explain the actions it intends to take or, as the case may be, the decision not to take any action, and the reasons for doing so. In exercising its powers the European Parliament can at any time hold hearings of the organisers or adopt a resolution. The organisers may also present a petition to the European Parliament on the subject, if the criteria for doing so are met.
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. Prior to initiating the collection of statements of support from signatories for a proposed citizens' initiative, the organiser s shall be required to register it with the Commission, providing the information set out in Annex II, in particular on the subject-matter and objectives as well as on the sources of funding and support for the proposed citizens' initiativeof the proposed citizens' initiative. The organisers shall provide, for the register defined in the third subparagraph and where appropriate on their website, regularly updated information on all sources of support and funding for the initiative. Funding by political parties and European political groups shall not be permitted.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21
Article 21
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 4
Annex II – point 4
4. The legal baseprovisions of the Treaties which would allow the Commission to act;
Amendment 134 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 5
Annex II – point 5
5. The full name, postal address and e-mail address of the organiser or, in the case of a legal entity or organisation, its legal representative;
Amendment 136 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Box 2 – point 5 a (new)
Annex III – Box 2 – point 5 a (new)
5a. Financial and political support received in respect of the proposed citizens initiative:
Amendment 139 #
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
After having obtained the certificates provided for in Article 9(2), and provided that all relevant procedures and conditions set out in this Regulation have been complied with, the organisers may submit the citizens"’ initiative to the Commission. When doing so, the organisers shall provide the Commission with precise and detailed information concerning all sources of support and funding received for the citizens' initiative. Funding by political parties and European political groups shall not be permitted.
Amendment 196 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15
Article 15
The Commission may adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Articles 16, 17 and 18,: – technical specifications for online collection systems pursuant to Article 6(5); – amendments to the Annexes tof this Regulation.
Amendment 197 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21
Article 21
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – box 2 – point 5 a (new)
Annex III – box 2 – point 5 a (new)
5a. All sources of support and funding received in respect of the proposed citizens' initiative: