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EC registers "Stop extremism" European Citizens' Initiative

The EC has decided on the partial registration of a European Citizens' Initiative entitled "Stop extremism" inviting the Commission to "propose legislation in order to prevent the adverse consequences of extremism, above all for the Internal Market".

The Commission's decision to register the Initiative concerns only the legal admissibility of the proposal. The Commission has not analysed its substance at this stage. The Commission's Decision, however, makes clear that the signatures for the Initiative should be collected only as regards proposals which are in line with the competences set out in the Treaties (see Annex).

The Initiative will be formally registered on 12 June 2017, which will start a one-year process of the collection of signatures of support by its organisers.

Should the Initiative receive one million statements of support within one year from at least seven different Member States, the Commission will have to react within three months. The Commission can decide either to follow the request or not, and in both instances would be required to explain its reasoning.

Background

European Citizens' Initiatives were introduced with the Lisbon Treaty and launched as an agenda-setting tool in the hands of citizens in April 2012, upon the entry into force of the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation which implements the Treaty provisions.

Once formally registered, a European Citizens' Initiative allows one million citizens from at least one quarter of EU Member States to invite the European Commission to propose a legal act in areas where the Commission has the power to do so.

The conditions for admissibility, as foreseen by the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation, are that the proposed action does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission's powers to submit a proposal for a legal act, that it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious and that it is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union.

For More Information

Full text of the proposed European Citizens' Initiative (available on 12 June 2017)

Initiative Organisers' Website (under construction)

Other ECIs currently collecting signatures

ECI website

ECI Regulation

Annex – Legal Acts for which statements of support may be collected

Statements of support for this proposed citizens' initiative may be collected, based on the understanding that it aims at proposals from the Commission for legal acts of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties:

  • for the approximation of the provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States which have as their object the establishment and functioning of the internal market;
  • laying down provisions relating to the protection of workers where their employment contract is terminated;
  • combatting discrimination.

Press contacts:

General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

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