A heavy blow to direct democracy: EU Commission rejects the Citizens’ Initiative to protect national regions

In 13 years since the mechanism came into effect, not a single direct legislative act has followed the European citizens’ proposals

Yesterday, the European Commission communicated its decision to disregard, once again, another European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). This time, the European executive refused to accept the ECI for National Regions, a proposal that aims to protect cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and the sustainability of the regional cultures. Protecting national and regional cultures is of vital importance to EFA. This is why we supported the initiative and spoke up to support it during its public hearing in the European Parliament, which took place last June.

The decision comes shortly after the Court of Justice of the European Union confirmed the Commission’s decision not to propose any legal acts in support of another ECI, the Minority Safe Pack Initiative. The outcome of both processes is disappointing for the millions of EU citizens who supported the initiatives, and a heavy blow to direct democracy – but also for the rights of minority nations and regions.

For a European Citizens’ Initiative to be presented to the Commission, at least 1 million signatures from EU citizens from 7 different member states are needed – with a minimum threshold required in each state. Since the rules of the mechanism came into effect in 2012, not even twenty initiatives have been successful in reaching these very high requirements. Among the few that managed to succeed, not one has resulted in direct regulatory action by the Commission; all were turned down. In 13 years, not a single legislative act has followed the European citizens’ proposals. These outcomes discourage the supporters of direct democracy and empty the ECI instrument of substance.

Economic cohesion remains unresolved

Meanwhile, economic cohesion remains unresolved. European funds continue to be distributed in a biased way. The gap between the capitals and national regions continues to broaden, affecting the protection of diversity in Europe.

With the Commission planning to approve a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2035 that aims to recentralise the distribution of the Cohesion funds, it is more important than ever that the national regions – as well as those regions that are home to minorities, rural areas, and territories governed by regional or national minority parties – continue to struggle and raise their voices. All regions and nations must have equal opportunity to access EU funds to guarantee an equal and proper economic development.

That is why the national regions ECI is so important, and why EFA calls on the European Commission to urgently reconsider its position. The protection and promotion of regional cultures – and regional funding – is a core responsibility of the EU, and the Commission must rise to this responsibility!