Considerations Regarding the Regulation on the Citizens’ Initiative

The citizens' initiative idea is not a new one. Since 1988 the European Parliament has pleaded for the introduction of this kind of initiative. The issue was discussed in Amsterdam in 2002, when it was brought again on the agenda by the European Parliament.The Citizens’ Initiative is one of the major changes introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon. The establishment of this institution has pursued the democratization of the Union and the opportunity to directly involve the European citizens in the community policies. On the strength of this new initiative right, a million of citizens from several Member States may ask the Commission submit a legislative proposal in areas falling within the Union.