It was considered one of the significant advances of the Lisbon Treaty. But two and a half years after being launched, the European citizens' initiative (ECI) has not lived up to expectations. Despite dozens of attempts, only two petitions have been accepted by the Commission to date and neither has led to any tangible results. A third, aiming to end animal testing, is being reviewed. Citizens' committees complain as a rule about technical and political obstacles, while non-governmental organisations voice…
Four petitions open, 39 halted
Signatures are currently being collected on four initiatives for: 1. a programme of public investment in sustainable development and job creation; 2. free vaping [use of electronic cigarettes - Ed]; 3. the legalisation of cannabis; and 4. prohibition of shell companies.Seven initiatives have been closed without obtaining the required number of signatures, one of which sought the promotion of investment in education, another on a basic minimum income and a third on quality education for all.Seven initiatives have been closed without being submitted to the Commission (a strict calendar applies once that stage is reached), including those on media pluralism, female entrepreneurship, the right to vote in country of residence and suspension of the energy-climate package.Five initiatives have been withdrawn. These included petitions for the reduction of transport costs on the weekend of the Europe Day celebration, prohibition of the practice of leaving lights on in offices when they are closed and elimination of educational inequalities in the EU.Twenty initiatives failed to meet registration requirements, including the petitions against the TTIP (EU-US), for the protection of minorities and for the creation of a European public bank for solidarity-based social and ecological development.