- Date
- April 10, 2005
The ambitions of the European Union have changed considerably since its creation; from the purely economic union at its beginnings, it has evolved into a complex structure with a wider vocation. Today, there is little in the daily lives of EU citizens which is not affected directly or indirectly by Community law. The flipside of the ubiquitous presence of the EU is a popular feeling that Brussels is an unaccountable policymaker and that the benefits of EU citizenship are not obvious, as evidenced by the ever-falling turnout rates in the European Parliament elections.
The right of citizens to have their voices heard and taken into account is an essential element of good governance. But how can this be achieved in the European Union? The work of the Convention on the Future of Europe attracted a lot of public attention, primarily from civil society groups: could a European Constitution, they wondered, bridge the legitimacy gap in the activities of the EU?
Download
-
The Citizens' Right of Initiative in the European Constitution: A Second Chance for Democracy? (165.92 Kb pdf file)
Download the complete article.
Read more
Resilience in Moldova
Q&A: Moldova’s Path to a European Future
Moldova has endured the Kremlin’s aggression because it has chosen to leave Russia's sphere of influence and supports Ukraine. The impact of the war on daily life—and why the nation is determined to join the EU.
Rethinking the EU
In an Age of Crisis, an Opportunity to Remake the EU
From climate change to rising authoritarianism, Europe is facing a range of crises that threaten the way we live. The EU must seize the opportunity to reshape how it works and rethink what role it plays in a changing world.
Corporate Responsibility
Q&A: Why (Some) Investors Want More Regulation
As the EU works on rules to protect worker rights and the planet from corporate harm, Open Society’s Jon Jacoby spoke to Anita Dorett, of the Investor Alliance for Human Rights, about how investors are pushing for change.