Europe needs to change course.
In our open letter, we will ask the European Parliamentarians to renew their promise to start an open dialogue on the future of Europe. The best proposals should then be discussed in a constitutional Convention, and all European citizens must be given the right to vote on the outcome in a pan-European referendum.
Before being elected in 2014, 114 MEPs pledged to make the EU more democratic. We must now pressure them to commit to their promise during the 2nd half of their term. The EU is in a deep crisis and it can only become closer to the people if the European Parliament takes action.
Public pressure makes a difference, SIGN the letter to the MEPs now!
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LETTER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT --Signatories of the pledge for a democratic EU Convention--
Brexit has pushed Europe into its deepest crisis ever. Yet it has been a wakeup call that the EU cannot continue with business as usual, and that serious reforms are needed to make the institutions more democratic and closer to the people. Before going into office in 2014, you signed a pledge to commit to real democratic reform of the EU once elected. Democracy International, civil society partners and citizens from across Europe call on you to follow up with actual deeds in the remaining second half of your term. Citizens feel that they have little to say in shaping their future and that huge decisions are being made by non-elected bodies or behind closed doors. The number of people who do not trust the EU institutions has risen from 32% in 2007 to 55% in 2016 (Eurobarometer). Public support for the European project is at historical lows. Major elections are approaching in the Netherlands, France and Germany; after Brexit, no one will be able to say: “but, we didn’t know!” As representatives of the European people, you now have a major responsibility—for Europe and for democracy. After a period of breathless emergency measures, it is now time to reform the EU-Treaties so that Europe can tackle its economic and social challenges, address its democratic deficit and close the gap between citizens and institutions. For this we need an open debate on the future of Europe, one that takes place at all levels and includes all European citizens. In 2014 you—and 114 other MEPs—promised to support an EP initiative for a Convention to reform the Treaties for a more democratic Union, and to call for a pan-European referendum on the results of the Convention, giving the European citizens a say on the future of Europe. In the remaining two and a half years of your legislative term, we call on you to keep your promises. On 25 March 2017, on the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaty and to mark a renewed commitment to the European integration process, the European Parliament should start a broad constitutional process.
A democratic Europe will survive only if citizens can actively shape its further development. Now is the opportunity for the EU to regain the trust and support of the citizens and to move from a Europe of governments to a Europe of the citizens. The European Parliament should not miss this opportunity. Greetings, Democracy International |