2023/2017(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

– having regard to its resolution of 6 April 2022 on the implementation of citizenship education actions[1], [1] Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0114.

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by the citizens; whereas the absence of Parliament’s direct rights of initiative does not allow it to properly represent the voice of citizens, civil society and the social partners within the European institutions, effectively leaving the Commission with a monopoly on the exercise of legislative initiative;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Underlines the need to address the low literacy of EU policies and decision- making among citizens through a sustained deliberative process where the citizens engaged in citizens panels are given the necessary information to be able to engage in open debates that can result in recommendations and conclusions;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Proposes, in particular, the creation of a permanent representative and deliberative mechanism called the European Agora, which will start in January each year by deliberating on the Commission’s annual work programme and the specific theme of the European Year; further proposes that in the first four months of the year the Agora should focus on the EU’s priorities for the year ahead with the results of the deliberations to be presented on 9 May as an input to the consultation process on the work programme; notes that those results should also include a proposal for the specific theme for the European Year in the following annual cycle;deleted

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 104 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Proposes, in particular, the creation of a permanent representative and deliberative mechanism called the European Agora, which will start in January each year by deliberating on the Commission’s annual work programme and the specific theme of the European Year; further proposes that in the first four months of the year the Agora should focus on the EU’s priorities for the year ahead with the results of the deliberations to be presented on 9 May as an input to the consultation process on the wCommission Annual Work pProgramme (CAWP), established through the Interinstitutional Agreement for Better Law Making; believes that this will ensure that the results of the European Agora will be taken into account in the decision-making process of the EU; notes that those results should also include a proposal for the specific theme for the European Year in the following annual cycle;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Proposes, in particular, the creation of a permanent representative and deliberative mechanism called the European Agora, which will ~~start in January each year by~~work on yearly basis deliberating on the Commission’s annual work programme and the specific theme of the European Year; further proposes that ~~in the first four months of the year the~~ Agora should focus on the EU’s priorities for the year ahead with the results of the deliberations to be presented on 9 May as an input to the consultation process on the work programme; notes that those results should also include a proposal for the specific theme for the European Year in the following annual cycle; proposes that European Parliament's representative should be regularly informed on the developments of those deliberations in order to adjust its legislative works.

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Calls for revision of the Interinstitutional Agreement for Better Law Making in order to integrate this permanent representative deliberative model in the annual deliberations on the CAWP;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses that throughout the year, the citizens in the European Agora should deliberate on proposals on the specific theme of the European Year, and their conclusions should be presented at the end of the year; considers that different minimum requirements for follow-up by Parliament should be laid down depending on the sizes of the majorities supporting these conclusions in the panel, and that this follow-up could include debates in a specific hearing of the relevant parliamentary committees or the drafting of legislative or non-legislative own-initiative reports;deleted

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas, in this context, the common foundation of liberal parliamentary democracy is under pressure, outside and inside the European Union; whereas Parliaments, as the directly elected chambers of the citizens, are at the heart of liberal democracy;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Suggests that a Youth component of the Agora should form a European Youth Assembly, which will also monitor the application of the ‘youth check’ throughout the EU’s legislative process; proposes that the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee should establish a structure that convenes representatives of youth civil society and young local elected politicians, which should cooperate closely with the Youth Assembly to implement the youth check;deleted

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 113 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Suggests that a Youth component of the Agora should form a European Youth Assembly, which will also monitor the application of the ‘youth check’ throughout the EU’s legislative process; proposes that the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee should establish a structure that convenes representatives of youth civil society ~~and~~, young local elected politicians, and representatives of social partners which should cooperate closely with the Youth Assembly to implement the youth check;

Amendment 115 #

Domènec RUIZ DEVESA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Believes that effective citizenship participation at EU level requires the acquisition of specific knowledge about the EU and the European dimension of the topics under discussion; asks therefore to introduce dedicated training within the European Agora;

Amendment 116 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. ~~Underlin~~Notes the potential for the exercise of European citizenship through online tools such as online consultations, and online collection of signatures for European Citizens’ Initiatives~~, and electronic voting; stress~~; notes that electronic ID ~~can~~may facilitate the use of such tools at European level as well as provide a variety of options for access to public services;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Proposes the introduction of pan- European online citizens’ consultations, organised by the Parliament on a regular basis concerning the main current European policy debates; believes that giving all citizens the opportunity to express their views on current European affairs will increase citizens’ trust in and understanding of the European decision- making process; considers that that this new participatory mechanism, which should have consultative character, would reinforce many of Parliament’s policy priorities, and, as a result, strengthen the EP’s role towards the other institutions; believes that Parliament should develop and manage these online consultations in order to ensure easy and secure access across the Union.

Amendment 118 #

Othmar KARAS, Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Calls on the Member States to introduce e-democracy tools at local and national level, and properly integrate them in the political process, facilitating democratic participation for both citizens and residents;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Reiterates its long-standing call to amend the EU Treaties to allow for EU- wide referendums on ~~matters relevant to the Union’s actions and policies~~fundamental constitutional matters that initiate paradigm changes of the European Union's actions and policies such as a reform of the EU Treaties; underlines, in this context, the need for the application of the ‘double majority rule’ of 55% of the EU Member States and 65% of the EU population; may propose that such an EU-wide referendum could be organised in the course of European parliamentary elections by providing an additional ballot addressing the fundamental constitutional matter in question;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas a common definition and understanding of liberal parliamentary democracy and the political will for making it more resilient are urgently needed – all the more so in light of the current challenges and a changing political environment, for ensuring the functioning of the separation of powers and with a view to encourage citizens to make use of their right to vote in all elections;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Reiterates its long-standing call to amend the EU Treaties to allow for EU- wide referendums on matters relevant to the Union’s actions and policies; points out that any European referendum should be organised on the same day throughout the Union;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Reiterates its long-standing call to amend the EU Treaties to allow for EU- wide referendums on matters relevant to the Union’s actions and policies~~Calls for compliance with the existing EU Treaties, in particular by the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the EU;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls for the increasing of funds to promote pilot projects and programs as Building Europe with Local Councillors which creates a European network of locally elected politicians aimed at communicating the European Union,

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas the Presidency of the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments (EUSC), held in Prague on 24-25 April 2023, welcomes in its Conclusions the initiative from the European Parliament in the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC) to jointly advance on the role of Parliaments in a functioning democracy and to reflect on possible ways to strengthen modern parliamentarism, with a view to informing the next EUSC in Madrid about the results on this matter1a; whereas the LXIX COSAC, held in Stockholm on 14-16 May 2023, takes note of these Conclusions of the EUSC, in particular the invitation to COSAC to propose an exchange of best practices and to reflect on possible ways to strengthen modern parliamentarism1b; _________________ 1a https://parleu2022.cz/wp- content/uploads/2023/04/EUSC-Prague- Presidency-Conclusions-final-EN-1.pdf 1b https://secure.ipex.eu/IPEXL- WEB/conferences/cosac

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas Article 15 TEU specifies that the European Council must not exercise legislative nor executive functions; ~~whereas Parliament’s lack of a direct right of initiative prevents it from representing the voice of citizens properly;~~

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas there should be no democratic decision without parliamentary approval; whereas Article 15 TEU specifies that the European Council ~~must~~shall not exercise legislative ~~nor executive~~ functions; whereas ~~Parliament’s lack of a direct right of initiative prevents it from representing the voice~~the European Parliament, despite being the only directly elected EU Institution, does not yet have a general direct right of ciniti~~zens properly~~ative;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas it is necessary to correct institutional imbalances and increase the accountability of the executive toward the legislative, in particular to grant the Parliament scrutiny powers over the European Council and the Council, as well as improve the political accountability of the Commission towards the Parliament;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas, the relationship between the Parliament and the Council often portrayed as a bicameral legislative system, has not yet been accepted nor institutionalised;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas the persistence of unanimity voting in the Council has become a de facto impediment obstacle to the advancement of the European agenda and genuine reform of the European democracy, and a threat to the development of a real European democracy, as it allows governments of Member States to block EU decision- making in order to promote their own national agendas, often to the detriment of the European interest;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)

Bd. whereas it is important for the European institutions to take into account the role played by the Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee in the legislative framework as representatives of local and regional authorities and organised civil society;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

– having regard to its resolution of 12 April 2016 on Learning EU at school (Text adopted, P8_TA(2016)0106.)

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFE) call for more democracy and for representative democracy to be enhanced through greater citizen participation; whereas the CoFE and other existing successful projects on citizen participation have demonstrated that citizens would like to be included in EU decision-making processes on a regular basis; whereas the CoFE provided valuable experience of engaging with citizens on a large scale, from which lessons will have to be drawn;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the ~~conclusions of the CoFE call for more democracy and for representative democracy to be enhan~~CoFE was in fact a coordinated socio-technical undertaking by a federalist group in the European Parliament and its allies in centralist European NGOs, which sought to forced through ~~greater citizen participation~~a centralist agenda, blatantly disregarding the plurality of opinions of citizens and political spheres in the EU and violating fundamental democratic principles;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the conclusions of the 1c CoFE call for ~~more democracy and for representative democracy to be enhanced through greater citizen participation;~~ strengthening European democracy, for improving the EU’s decision-making process in order to ensure the EU’s capability to act, and for representative democracy to be enhanced through increasing citizens’ information, participation and youth involvement; _________________ 1c https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources /library/media/20220509RES29121/20220 509RES29121.pdf

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the conclusions of the CoFE call for more democracy and for representative democracy to be enhanced through greater citizen participation and for European Citizenship to be strengthened through the elaboration of a European Citizenship Statute establishing specific rights and freedoms;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the European citizenship and its related rights, introduced by the Treaty of Maastricht and further enhanced by the Treaty of Lisbon, have been only partially implemented; whereas many European citizens are often not fully aware of their rights deriving from citizenship of the Union;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. Whereas any measures to strengthen citizen participation and democracy must address the digital divide in the EU and the difficulties it creates for such participation to be effective;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas European citizenship is currently granted together with the citizenship of a Member State, but without any control from the European Union;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)

Cc. whereas despite the arrangements under Council Directive 93/109/EC and Council Directive 94/80/EC respectively regarding the participation of non- national Union citizens in European Parliament and municipal elections in their country of residence, non-national Union citizens still face many obstacles in exercising their electoral rights in elections to the European Parliament;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)

Cd. whereas several Member States are still offering so-called ‘golden visa programmes’ and investor schemes as means of obtaining their nationality and European citizenship consequently;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)

Ce. whereas according to Article 10(3) TEU citizens shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union and decisions shall be taken as openly and as closely as possible to the citizens, whereas participatory democracy has been seen as a way to improve political awareness and dialogue with all citizens of the Union;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)

– having regard to its legislative resolution of 16 April 2014 on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament on the detailed provisions governing the exercise of the European Parliament’s right of inquiry and repealing Decision 95/167/EC, Euratom, ECSC of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission[1] [1] J C 443, 22.12.2017, p. 39

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C f (new)

Cf. whereas there is still lack of awareness of the existing participatory instruments, such as the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), petitions to the European Parliament, complaints to the European Ombudsman, public consultations and Citizens’ Dialogues;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C g (new)

Cg. whereas participatory democracy in the EU is affected by high fragmentation and lack of follow-up, which limits the success of existing participatory instruments that do not add up to a comprehensive and efficient participatory infrastructure;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C h (new)

Ch. whereas the new citizens’ panels proposed by the Commission as a follow up to the CoFE are limited in scope and do not fully integrate a comprehensive vision of participatory democracy;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C i (new)

Ci. whereas the referendum as a direct democracy instrument is currently not available at the EU level.

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)

Recognises that liberal parliamentary democracy is under pressure and cannot be taken for granted, especially in the current times of common, unprecedented and complex challenges and a changing political environment; strongly believes that it is urgently needed to sustain, strengthen and promote liberal parliamentary democracy; considers that parliamentarism in the European Union is one of a kind as the EU is a unique project with its special history, distinct legal order and enshrined fundamental rights;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 b (new)

Emphasises the key role of the Parliaments at the heart of European liberal democracy as the directly elected chambers of the citizens, legislators and scrutinizers of the executive; acknowledges that liberal democracy can only successfully prove itself if parliamentarism strives and functions; stresses that a functioning separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judiciary needs strong Parliaments;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 c (new)

Underlines the need for a common definition and understanding of liberal parliamentary democracy in light of the current challenges and a changing political environment, for contributing to the functioning of the separation of powers and with a view to encourage citizens to make use of their right to vote in all elections; welcomes, in this context, the initiative of the European Parliament in the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC)1d, to develop a common “Charter on the role of Parliaments in a functioning democracy”, containing a common understanding, the fundamental principles and key ingredients of modern parliamentarism, with a view to develop the said "Charter" further, together with the Presidency of the Council, in close cooperation with all national Parliaments, and to ratify it ahead of the EU elections 2024; stresses that the Presidency of the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments (EUSC)1ewelcomes this initiative from the European Parliament in COSAC and that the LXIX COSAC takes note of these EUSC Conclusions;1f _________________ 1d Raised by the First Vice-President of the European Parliament, responsible for the relations with national Parliaments, parliamentary democracy and modern parliamentarism, at several occasions (e.g. in his intervention at the Plenary Meeting of the LXVIII COSAC on 13-15 November 2022 in Prague, during his conversations with the COSAC Presidential Troika at the Meeting of the COSAC Chairpersons on 29-30 January 2023 in Stockholm and through his letter to the COSAC Presidential Troika from 16 March 2023) 1e https://parleu2022.cz/wp- content/uploads/2023/04/EUSC-Prague- Presidency-Conclusions-final-EN-1.pdf 1f https://secure.ipex.eu/IPEXL- WEB/conferences/cosac

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 d (new)

Considers that the current shift from a “parliamentary” to “governmental” democracy as well as the unanimity principle weaken all Parliaments in the decision-making process – on national, regional and European level; underlines that liberal democracy cannot be reduced to a simple „yes“ or „no“ and that legislation should emerge from a compromise between varieties of different interests; considers the abuse of national vetoes in the context of the unanimity principle as undemocratic; underlines that it is necessary to overcome blockades and to work on common solutions, which include rather than exclude;

Amendment 38 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Strongly believes that Parliaments should be part of every democratic decision-making process and that there should be no democratic decision without parliamentary approval; underlines that the unanimity principle excludes Parliaments in the decision-making process and therefore weakens liberal parliamentary democracy; stresses that the European Parliament, as the only directly elected EU institution, should be granted the general direct right of legislative initiative and full authority over the budget and that ~~it should be enabled to lay down~~as the chamber of the EU citizens it should be the driving force behind the strategic priorities of the European legislative agenda;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Strongly believes that Parliament, as the only directly elected EU institution, should be granted the general direct right of legislative initiative, right for inquiry and full authority over the budget and that it should be enabled to lay down the strategic priorities of the European legislative agenda; Calls on this regard for an amendment of art 225 and art 226 of TFEU.

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)

– having regard to the Proposal of a Manifesto for a Federal Europe: Sovereign, Social and Ecological adopted by the Spinelli Group on 29 August 2022,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Strongly believes that Parliament, a~~s the only directly elected~~nd all other EU institution,s should ~~be granted the general direct right of legislative initiative and full authority over the budget and that it should be enabled to lay down the strategic priorities of the European legislative agenda~~comply with the existing Treaties and not seek to broaden their competences, as that would upset the delicate institutional balance;

Amendment 41 #

2. Considers that the European Council’s practice of ‘tasking the Council and the Commission’ goes beyond the role of strategic guidance assigned to it by the Treaties, and is therefore contrary to both the word and spirit of the Treaties; considers it necessaryit possible to improve the working relationship between the European Council and Parliament;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Considers that the European Council’s practice of ‘tasking the Council and the Commission’ goes beyond the role of strategic guidance assigned to it by the Treaties, and is therefore contrary to both the word and spirit of the Treaties; considers it necessary to ~~improve the working relationship between the European Council and Parliament~~respect the division of competences as defined in the Treaties;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes with regret an increasing power imbalance shifting towards the Council and the European Council , which erodes the institutional architecture of the EU as established by the Treaties; believes that the balance should be restored in favour of democratic legitimacy through equivalent rights for Parliament;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Proposes that the Council be transformed into a true legislative chamber by reducing the number of Council configurations to one by means of a European Council decision, so as to create a genuinely bicameral legislative system based on the Council and Parliament, with the Commission acting as the executive; suggests that a the General Affairs Councils becomes the legislative Council meeting in public, similarly to the EP plenary, while all other Council configurations become transparent preparatory structures, with regular meetings to be held in public, similarly to the functioning of the committees in the Parliament;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. PReiterates its proposesal that the Council be transformed into a true legislative chamber by reducing the number of Council configurations ~~to one~~ by means of a European Council decision, ~~so as to~~thus createing a genuinely bicameral legislative system ~~based on the Council~~ involving the Europeand Parliament and Council, with the Commission acting as the executive;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Considers that the Council should switch from unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV) wherever this is possible under the Treaties in the short term, and permanently by means of Treaty changes, in order to make EU decision- making more efficient and democratic;deleted

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Considers that~~Reiterates its long-standing calls for the Council ~~should~~to switch from unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV) wherever this is possible under the Treaties in the short term, ~~and permanently by means of Treaty changes, in order~~for example by activating the various Passerelle clauses in the Treaties, and permanently by means of Treaty changes, in order to overcome blockades, to enhance the EU’s ability to act and to make EU decision- making more efficient, effective and democratic;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)

– having regard to the Conclusions of the Presidency of the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments (EUSC) held in Prague on 24-25 April 2023 1g, _________________ 1g https://parleu2022.cz/wp- content/uploads/2023/04/EUSC-Prague- Presidency-Conclusions-final-EN-1.pdf

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Considers that in no case should the Council ~~should~~ switch from unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV) ~~wherever this is possible under the Treaties in the short term, and permanently by means of Treaty changes, in order to make EU decision- making more efficient and democratic~~;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers it necessary for Parliament to strengthen its functions of political scrutiny over the Commission, including introducing the possibility of triggering motions of censure against individual commissioners;deleted

Amendment 52 #

5. Considers it ~~necessary~~possible for Parliament to strengthen its functions of political scrutiny over the Commission~~, including introducing the possibility of triggering motions of censure against individual commissioners~~;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls to the Council and the Commission to engage with Parliament in negotiations in the initiatives in which the legislative initiative is conferred to the Parliament such as the European Parliament right of inquiry and the new European electoral law,

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Highlights that the legislative process arising from the right of legislative initiative conferred on Parliament by the Treaties must include, under the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law Making (IIA), a request for the establishment of a legislative calendar for the initiatives concerned, similarly as with the ordinary legislative procedure; underlines, moreover, that such a special legislative procedure must respect the provisions of the IIA concerning the institutional obligation to negotiate of all three institutions;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission to continue to improve cooperation modalities with the CoR and the EESC; suggests in particular the strengthening of an informal exchange between the Chairs of the Committees in the European Parliament and the Presidents of the Sections in the EESC, the establishment of a regular informal exchange on the level of the Political Group Chairs with the Groups in the EESC and that the rapporteurs of the CoR and EESC be invited to participate in considering draft reports in the parliamentary committee and committee debriefing meetings on interinstitutional negotiations, where applicable;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for Parliament, the Council, and the Commission to improve cooperation modalities with the CoR and the EESC; including at the pre-legislative stage during the conduct of impact assessments, in order to ensure that their opinions and assessments can be taken into account throughout the legislative process, suggests in particular that the rapporteurs of the CoR and EESC be invited to participate in considering draft reports in the parliamentary committee and committee debriefing meetings on interinstitutional negotiations, where applicable;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises the key role of pParliaments at the heart of democracy and ~~calls for closer coordi~~the respect for a clear division of tasks between the four levels of European liberal democracy, on the municipal, regional, national and ~~political dialogue between~~European levels, in line with the principle of subsidiarity as laid down in Article 5 TEU; stresses the need for clear responsibilities and competences with regard to democratic legitimacy, control and decisions to be efficient and effective, avoiding mutual distrust and a weakening of the Parliaments in the decision-making process; underlines in this regard, that national pParliaments ~~and the European Parliament to make it more meaningful and substantial, also~~ scrutinise their respective national governments, while the European Parliament scrutinises the democratic accountability and legitimacy of the European executive; underlines the need for regular political dialogue and exchange between the Parliaments in order to create awareness and understanding f~~rameworks such as Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC); stresses the importance of the subsidiarity principle as laid down in Article 5 TEU;~~ or the parliamentary work and decisions, such as in frameworks of the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments (EUSC) and the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC);

Amendment 58 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises the key role of parliaments at the heart of democracy and calls for closer coordination and political dialogue between national parliaments and the European Parliament to make it more meaningful and substantial, also in frameworks such as Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC); stresses the importance of the subsidiarity principle as laid down in Article 5 TEU; points out, in this regard, that national parliaments are best placed to mandate and scrutinise at national level the action of their respective governments in European affairs, while the Parliament should ensure the democratic accountability and legitimacy of the European executive;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises the key role of parliaments at the heart of democracy and cwelcomes a right for national parliaments to propose initiatives to the European Parliament; Calls for closer coordination and political dialogue between national parliaments and the European Parliament to make it more meaningful and substantial, also in frameworks such as Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC); stresses the importance of the subsidiarity principle as laid down in Article 5 TEU;

Amendment 6 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)

– having regard to the Conclusions of the Plenary Meeting of the LXIX Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC)1h held in Stockholm on 14-16 May 2023, _________________ 1h https://secure.ipex.eu/IPEXL- WEB/conferences/cosac

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Highlights the revolution in media consumption habits, driven by the ubiquity of smartphones, the rise of social media and the rollout of broadband, due to which many traditional media outlets have lost significance, especially among young people; recalls that polarised and extreme opinions have become widely accessible while fact-based, well- researched information is often locked behind “paywalls”; is concerned that staying properly informed in an environment of information overload, poor-quality news sources, and social media bubbles has become increasingly difficult and has led to a fragmentation of societies and an undermining of democracies; calls for a coordinated EU strategy to address threats to media independence and the establishment of a substantial EU media support fund to support an independent and pluralistic quality media landscape in all Member States.

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Underlines that in the spirit of the Latin word “parlare”, liberal parliamentary democracy requires a Parliament in presence; notes that while digitisation and the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated the development and application of modernised working methods to improve resilience with respect to emergencies and crises situations, they cannot substitute voting, debating, negotiating, meeting and exchanging in presence; stresses that, at the same time, the enhanced use of digital possibilities has the potential to contribute to a better political understanding between Parliaments on the national, regional and European levels, as part of strengthening communication, information and cooperation and helping to reach the common climate and environmental goals by reducing transport and travel emissions;

Amendment 62 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses the importance of the subsidiarity principle as laid down in Article 5 TEU which is binding on all Union institutions and bodies, and of the instruments contained in Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality; recalls in this context the need to improve the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality in the work of the EU institutions, in particular by cooperating with national parliaments in order for them to use the possibilities of engagement that already included in the current Treaties and to give them and local and regional authorities a more prominent role in the process in order to achieve ‘active subsidiarity’, aiming to promote greater ownership of EU policies.

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Is highly concerned about targeted cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns, whose ultimate goal is the destruction of democratic processes within the Union; calls for coordinated action on national and EU level to ensure that cybersecurity rules at EU-level are adequate and well implemented on the national level; calls for the establishment of an independent and well-resourced European Centre for Interference Threats and Information Integrity to identify, analyse and document information manipulation operations and threats of interference against the Union as a whole; recalls that activities to fight disinformation are considered a matter of public interest; calls for the national parliaments of the Member States to consider establishing their own parliamentary bodies tasked with overseeing activities related to the protection of their democracy against foreign interference and information manipulation, and to set up regular exchanges on these topics with the European Parliament as a part of COSAC inter-parliamentary cooperation;

Amendment 64 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Is concerned that Artificial Intelligence has made the production and distribution of false and misleading information significantly easier, cheaper, and faster; warns that generative AI is likely to be used to mislead voters, impersonate candidates and undermine European elections on a scale and at a speed not yet seen; calls for the timely adoption of the EU’s AI act, with a focus on tackling the dangers of synthetic audio and video material as well as images for disinformation campaigns.

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls for the creation of an EU Statute of Citizenship, that will clarify and consolidate citizenship-specific rights and freedoms; calls on the Council and Commission to take concrete steps towards the expansion of citizenship-specific rights and freedoms following the procedure under Article 25 TFEU; stresses the exclusive competence of the Member States in the area of national citizenship;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. It recalls that European Citizenship reflects the democratic identity that connects citizens in the Union and that the Statute will serve to make the principles and values of the Union more tangible and will provide a new tool for citizens to defend it;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Highlights that effective citizens’ dialogues and active citizens’ participation are strongly linked to the European dimension of citizenship education~~, which should be enhanced~~; stresses therefore the need to enhance the European dimension of citizenship education in order to enable citizens’ participation in the EU decision-making process and ability to act as informed citizens and to fully participate in civic and social life at both, the European and Member State level, based on understanding of political, legal, social and economic concepts and structures; calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive European strategy to enhance citizenship competences in the EU and develop supportive measures aimed at providing equal access to citizenship education to all people residing in the EU in order to enable them to exercise their political rights; underlines the important role that civil society, universities and other research organisations should play in such a strategy;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Highlights that effective citizens’ dialogues and active citizens’ participation are strongly linked to the European dimension of citizenship education, which should be enhanced; stresses the competence of the Member States in the area of education and calls for any attempts to harmonise education to be abandoned;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to invest equally in the formal actions of citizenship education and in supporting informal citizenship education, in curricular and extra- curricular activities, and to reinforce EU programmes supporting education and citizenship education; calls for the inclusion in the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the educational programmes financed with EU funds of specific targets related to citizenship education,

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas wthe Eur~~gently need to reform parliamentarism, European citizenship and participatory elements of European democracy~~opean Union and its Parliaments are confronted with common, unprecedented and complex challenges; whereas there are, on the one hand, external challenges, such as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate and energy crises, disinformation, foreign interference and digitisation; whereas there are, on the other hand, internal factors, such as the rise of extremes and political actors who put polarization, populism, nationalism, blaming and confrontation before the search for common solutions; whereas, in a vicious circle, law is broken, values are violated and citizen’s trust in politics and its decision-makers is lost;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Proposes that the Council and Parliament, in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall be able to lay down common provisions on the acquisition and loss of citizenship of the Union by third country nationals; calls in this regard for Article 20 TFEU to be changed;deleted

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 72 #

Niklas NIENASS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Strongly believes that third- country nationals who have resided legally and continuously in the European Union for a long time and have contributed to our society, may have access to citizenship of the Union; Proposes that the Council and Parliament, in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall be able to lay down common provisions on the acquisition and loss of citizenship of the Union by third country nationals; calls in this regard for Article 20 TFEU to be changed;

Amendment 73 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to better inform non- national Union citizens (i.e. Union citizens who reside in a Member State of which they are not nationals) about their right to vote in or run for office in municipal and European elections; stresses that such ‘mobile’ EU citizens’ right to vote and stand should be expanded to regional and national elections in Member States; calls on the Council and the Commission to introduce these rights through the procedure outlined in Article 25 TFEU, while in the long-term it should be anchored in Article 22 TFEU through Treaty change; highlights the need for awareness-raising campaigns and the involvement of civil society in them; stresses that all administrative barriers and discrimination that still exist must be removed to ensure equal possibilities for all mobile Union citizens, including for persons with disabilities;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to better inform non- national Union citizens (i.e. Union citizens who reside in a Member State of which they are not nationals) about their right to vote in or run for office in municipal and European elections; stresses that such ‘mobile’ EU citizens’ right to vote and stand should be expanded to regional and national elections in Member States; Urges Member States to guarantee that all those who have the right to vote, including EU citizens living outside their country of origin, homeless people and prisoners who are granted such a right in accordance with national laws, are able to exercise this right.

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

~~12. Recalls that a single harmonised age for voting and for standing as a candidate should be introduced across the EU; is of the opinion that the minimum age for voting should be set at 16;~~deleted

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Recalls that a single harmonised age for voting and for standing as a candidate should be introduced across the EU~~; is of the opinion that the minimum age for voting should be set at 16~~ in order to ensure equality and to avoid discrimination in access to those most fundamental civic and political rights; is of the opinion that the minimum age for voting should be set at 16; highlights further that the right to vote and to stand as candidate, and access to information and voting should also be ensured on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas European democracy can generate further legitimacy through change and adaptation to current developments; whereas we urgently need to reform parliamentarism, European citizenship and participatory elements of European democracy as fundamental parts for a comprehensive reform of the democratic fundament of the Union;

Amendment 80 #

Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA, Giuliano PISAPIA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Re~~calls that~~iterates its call for the introduction of a single, harmonised age for ~~voting and for standing as a candidate should be introduced across the EU; is of the opinion that the minimum age for voting should be set at 16;~~ , respectively, passive and active voting rights across Member States and recommends to introduce a minimum voting age of 16, without prejudice to existing constitutional orders establishing a minimum voting age of 18 or 17 years of age; reiterates its opinion that giving the right to vote at the age of 16 would reflect current rights and duties that the European young people already have in some Member States;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Recalls that a single harmonised age for voting and for standing as a candidate should be introduced across the EU; is of the opinion that the minimum age for voting should ~~be set at 16;~~reflect current right and duties that young people already have in some Member States and be set at 16 without prejudice to existing constitutional orders establishing a minimum voting age of 18 or 17 years of age.

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Recalls that ~~a single harmonised age for voting and for standing as a candidate should be introduced across the EU; is of the opinion that the minimum age for voting should be set at 16~~the Member States have exclusive competence to decide, in accordance with their traditions and constitutional order, the applicable age for voting and for standing as a candidate; is of the opinion that the Union has no competence to harmonise this age;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Recalls that the European Parliament has consistently expressed its concern that any national scheme that involves the direct or indirect sale of EU citizenship undermines the very concept of European citizenship; calls on the Member States concerned to put an end to such practices;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Is highly concerned by~~Notes the practice of certain Member States of depriving their citizens of the right to vote in national parliamentary elections when they live abroad; ~~urges~~stresses that these Member States ~~to end this form of disenfranchisement~~have exclusive competence in this regard;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Proposes the implementation of an election observation mission in the European Union during the European Parliament elections in May 2024 to reinforce good practices at the European level by strengthening the electorate's confidence in the electoral process, while at the same time citizens actively participate in this process as observers,

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3

Improving representative democracy ~~through~~and citizen participation

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Believes that the expectation of Europeans to be more regularly and meaningfully involved in the EU decision- making process 1acan inter alia be addressed by improving and expanding participatory mechanisms within the European Union; _________________ 1a https://cor.europa.eu/en/events/Document s/Future-of- Europe/Next_Level_Citizens_Participatio n_in_the_EU.pdf

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Stresses th~~e need to create a com~~at instruments of direct or participatory democracy cannot substitute the necessity for reprehsenstative ~~participation infrastructure in the EU, with better connection and integration of exist~~liberal parliamentary democracy in an increasingly complex world; underlines that every additional structure that takes over a responsibility of the Parliaments may weaken the Parliaments and the citizen’s trust ing par~~ticipatory instruments through a one- stop shop for all European participatory~~liamentary work, creates double structures and leads to inefficiencies in the democratic decision- making processes; notes that mechanisms of direct or participatory democracy can be useful instruments aund ~~new avenues for permanent participation~~er specifically framed circumstances; underlines the necessity of a “responsible” democracy instead of a “mood” democracy;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Stresses the need to create a comprehensive participation infrastructure in the EU, with better connection and integration of existing participatory instruments through a one-stop shop for all European participatory instruments and new avenues for permanent participation; suggests in particular improving the architecture of the existing European participatory instruments through providing a mandatory and meaningful follow-up;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas ~~we urgently need to reform~~the existing Treaties should be complied with as regards parliamentarism, European citizenship and participat~~ory elements of~~ion in European democracy;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Stress~~Notes the ~~need to~~possibility of createing a comprehensive participation infrastructure in the EU, with better connection and integration of existing participatory instruments through a one-stop shop for all European participatory instruments aund ~~new avenues for permanent particip~~er the existing Treationes;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Underlines the need to address the fragmentation of the EU participation infrastructure through creating a one- stop-shop for all European participatory instruments with an institutional framework set up to administer the central hub and its relations to the citizens; believes that this measure will increase the public visibility of the participation process and instruments;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. It recalls that no progress on participation will be possible without addressing the problem of the digital divide and the difficulties it creates for effective participation in the Union;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. It calls for the necessary measures to be taken to avoid any kind of discrimination in access to participation infrastructures in the Union, in particular those related to the digital skills possessed by the individual;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)

15c. It proposes that applications to promote citizen participation should be simple and intuitive in order to minimise the digital divide and strengthen participation and democracy in a practical way;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)

15d. It calls for the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) and others aimed at promoting digital transformation in the EU to include simplifying access to administrations through the various services or the use of citizen participation applications among their objectives; it calls for research and investment lines aimed at facilitating such access in order to minimise the digital divide and maximise social and democratic quality;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Proposes the institutionalisation of representative deliberative processes of participation based on the model of the CoFE’s European Citizens Panels; believes that the use of ‘mini-publics’ with randomly selected participants representing subsets of the socio- economic structure of the Union will help prevent unequal access to participation in EU decision-making;deleted

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. ~~Propos~~Reiterates theat in~~stitutionalisation of representative deliberative processes of participation based on the model of the CoFE’s European Citizen~~ line with the founding text of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFE), the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have committed to following up effectively on the conclusions of the Conference, each within the remit of their competences Panels; believes that the use of ‘mini-publics’ with randomly selected participants representing subsets of the socio- economic structure of the Union will help prevent unequal access to participation in EU decision-makingd in accordance with the Treaties; urges for the swift and consistent implementation of the results of the CoFE, encompassing 49 proposals and 326 concrete measures delivered by the CoFE’s European Citizens Panels; reiterates its call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties;

Amendment 99 #