17 Amendments of Jo LEINEN related to 2017/0220(COD)
Amendment 36 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The European Parliament, in its resolution on the European citizens’ initiative of 28 October 201525 called on the Commission to reviewcomprehensively to review and to revise as soon as possible Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1179/2011. _________________ 25 2014/2257 (INI). 2014/2257 (INI).
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) This Regulation aims to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters, in order to achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as a tool to foster debate and citizen participation at Union level, and to bring the Union closer to its citizenin order to encourage as many EU citizens as possible to play their part in shaping the ongoing European integration process.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to promote participation and public debate on the issues raised by the initiatives, where an initiative supported by the required number of signatories and fulfilling the other requirements of this Regulation is submitted to the Commission, the group of organisers should have the right to present that initiative at a public hearing at Union level. The public hearing should be co- organised by the Commission and the European Parliament within three months from the submission of the initiative and ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interests well as the representation at an appropriate level of the Commission and the Council. Other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union as well as interested stakeholders should have the opportunity to participate in the hearing.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) To ensure the effective participation of citizens in the democratic life of the Union, the Commission should examine a validevery initiative which has secured the requisite number of at least one million statements of support and respond to it. The Commission should therefore set out its legal and political conclusions as well as the action it intends to take within a period of five months from the receipt of the initiative, in particular whether it intends to put forward a legislative proposal. The Commission should explain in a clear, comprehensible and detailed manner the reasons for its intended action, and should likewisein particular give its reasons if it does not intend to take any action.
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Where a European citizens’ initiative concerns the amendment of a legislative proposal under discussion, the Commission must automatically inform the group of organisers of the legislative calendar, notifying them that any citizens’ initiative dealing with a text under examination can only be considered at the end of the legislative procedure.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall, upon request, provide information and appropriate expert and legal assistance about the European citizens’ initiative to citizens and groups of organisers.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. An initiative shall be prepared and managed by a group of at least seven natural persons (the ‘group of organisers’). Members of the European Parliament and Members of national parliaments shall not be counted for the purpose of that minimum number.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3 – point b
(b) partially register the initiative if a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties;
Amendment 147 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The group of organisers shall inform the Commission of the date chosen at the latest 10 working days before that date.
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The Commission and the European Parliament shall co-organise the public hearing at the European Parliament. Representatives of the Council, other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well as interested stakeholders or experts, shall be given the opportunity to participate in the hearing.
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
The Commission and the European Parliament shall ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interest groups.
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. Within one month of the submission of the initiative, the Commission shall receive the group of organisers at an appropriate level to allow them to explain in detail the matters raised bypurpose of the initiative.
Amendment 180 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
2. Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication full details of its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its detailed reasons for taking or not taking action.
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 a (new)
The Commission shall be entitled to perform random checks on the information submitted in respect of the sources of support and funding, to assess the quality of the information provided and to request additional clarifications from the groups of organisers. Such checks shall aim to ensure transparency of funding and other support provided to groups of organisers and shall be carried out in an effective, impartial and proportionate manner. Sources of support and funding shall mean any offering of financial means or credit offering, any offering in kind, the provision below market value of any goods, services (including loans and the provision of personnel) or works, and/or any other transaction which provides an economic advantage, with the exception of support carried out on a voluntary basis by individuals.
Amendment 191 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, Parliament and the Council and the Member States shall raise public awareness about the existence of the European citizens’ initiative through communication activities and information and publicity campaigns, thereby contributing to promoting the active participation of citizens in the political life of the Union.
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall periodically review the functioning of the European citizens’ initiative and present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation no later than five years from the date of application of this Regulation, and every fivthree years thereafter. The reports shall be made public.