Rapporteur, Ángela Vallina, comments: “I am happy with the result of this vote. After all the debates and discussions, we have yielded a serious, progressive report, for the most part.”

“There are many things that have been included in the adopted compromises which we are pleased about. For example, the text criticises austerity measures and the current inability to resolve the financial crisis in a way that can guarantee all citizens a dignified standard of living.”

The report adopted also criticises the way citizens' petitions are treated by the European Commission, which has routinely focused on creating procedural barriers to petitioners rather than addressing the substantive issues in the petitions.  

“It is remarkable that the European Commission, when replying to petitioners, is limiting access to the open infringement procedures and increasing the existing administrative barriers concerning the European Citizens' Initiatives,” Vallina explains.

The report also addresses the need to increase participatory democracy through petitions procedures, such as involvement of other parliamentary committees and enhanced structured dialogue with member states.

“Finally, I want to stress that the EPP has voted against the report, along with ECR and ENF members. This shows very clearly  what the EPP thinks about the need to increase participatory democracy,” concludes Vallina.

 

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