One aspect of the much-criticised European constitution that hasn’t been given much coverage:
“A significant number of citizens, no less than one million, coming from a significant number of Member States, may invite the Commission to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing this Constitution. A European law shall determine the provisions for the specific procedures and conditions required for such a citizens’ request”.
Or in other words, there is the chance for citizen initiatives to press for referendums. At the moment the wording means that the initiatives will have to go through the commission but the Initiative and Referendum Institute is campaigning for a more ‘citizen friendly’ approach.
