Referendum on Stuttgart 21: Unfair quorum
On 20 April the Greens and the SPD announced that they had agreed to hold a referendum on Stuttgart 21 this autumn. This case is a clear example of how damaging unnecessary quorums can be to direct-democratic procedures.
Revival of Democracy International Website
On 18-19 April 2011 five activists from Democracy International (DI) met in Cologne for website training and to develop a new online communications strategy.
Tips for a Successful ECI
Today the regulation for the European Citizens‘ Initiative (ECI) enters into force and will be applicable in one year. That means that, starting on the 1st of April 2012, citizens’ initiative committees can register an ECI with the European Commission and start collecting...
A Serious Obstacle: ID Card Numbers and the ECI
The ECI Campaign believes the single greatest weakness of the final ECI regulation is that member states may require their residents to provide ID card numbers in order to support a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). Most member states (18 countries) currently plan to do so....
ECI Campaign Shifts Focus to ECI Implementation in Member States
During recent months and years, the ECI Campaign has diligently worked for a truly citizen-friendly and usable ECI — so this tool can fulfill its potential in democratizing the EU. Read more about what has been reached as well as the next steps and events to come in 2011.
Negotiations go on -- Our work as well!
Different from what we first thought, very important detailed questions for ECI have still not been finalized. Important issues, such as the mandatory public hearing and ID card collection, are still being negotiated in technical meetings between Council, Parliament and...
Initiative for the European Citizens' Initiative
Compromise ECI regulation requires mandatory public hearings…but allows collection of ID numbers.
Referendum campaign leaves muddied waters
The Irishmen "would be the first victims" if they voted "no" on Thursday, in the referendum on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. This would cause a "gigantic incomprehension" said the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner today at radio RTL. [The Irish] "benefited from...
Video: EU Parliament dicusses Ireland Vote
A group of parliamentarians voiced their protest during the debate about the Irish Referendum: They demanded the acceptance of the vote. Proponents and opponents of the treaty get their say in a video.
The excerpts were taken between July 16 and 18 2008.
The day before the vote
Today it is the last day on which newspapers are allowed to report on the referendum campaign. So it was interesting to see, what were their last messages. I counted the articles and photos in the Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent which give the stage to the yes...