Brussels: Today, the European Commission has registered a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) entitled 'Ethics, Transparency and Integrity for European Political Parties'. The initiative encourages the Commission to devise a European model of ethical governance based on transparency, integrity, and shared responsibility.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the organisers of the initiative are calling for the Commission to propose a legislative act that would amend the existing EU Regulation on European political parties and foundations. This includes introducing stricter requirements regarding conflicts of interest, transparency, decision-making, unethical conduct, and funding. Although the initiative has met the formal conditions for registration under the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation, the Commission has not yet analyzed its proposals. The registration does not influence any final decision on its merits or potential actions. A decision will be made only if the initiative garners at least one million signatures from EU citizens.
Following the registration, the organisers have a six-month window to begin the 12-month period for collecting signatures. Should the initiative receive the required one million statements of support, with minimum thresholds reached in at least seven Member States, the Commission is obliged to respond and decide on any actions, providing justification for its decision.
The European Citizens' Initiative was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty as a tool for citizens to set the agenda. Officially launched in April 2012, it allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to invite the European Commission to propose legal acts in areas within its authority. The conditions for admissibility include ensuring that the proposed action does not fall outside the Commission's powers, is not abusive, frivolous, or vexatious, and is not contrary to the values of the Union.
Since its introduction, the Commission has registered 125 initiatives. The content of these initiatives reflects only the views of the organisers and does not represent the views of the Commission.