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| by Steven Attard, |
Apr 29, 2004 |
A STOP-GAP MEASURE
While the opportunity to petition will lead to some constructive co-operation between actors on the local level, most proposals will not reach the legislative stage, or have any effect on the laws passed by the European Parliament and our national governments.
The petition alone cannot fill the democratic deficit, the problems with democracy and participation that exist in European affairs today. The new Constitution as a whole, however, provides the framework for action that could really affect out lives. It does this by creating “a fresh, large consensus about how Europe should be run,” says Andrew Duff.
More concrete measures are needed to ensure the participation of citizens both interested and not. This requires greater representation of European affairs on a local level. There is some scope to achieve this aim through giving more power to European Parliament, the body representing the citizens of Europe. A strong European Parliament would maximise the possibilities for democratic participation by creating another legislative body that would function alongside the national governments. Citizens would have the opportunity express their views through the essential element of democracy, their vote.
Sometimes NGOs and other local and regional movements, such as the anti-war or the environmental lobby groups, have had more success in achieving their objectives by co-operating with similar actors across Europe. This partnership creates a voice that is more dangerous for national leaders to ignore.
If the Members of the European Parliament had to defend their stance on pan-European issues, that are affairs mainly of local significance, it will give citizens more opportunity to accept their democratic responsibilities. This is an opportunity to ignite the burning fire of European issues. Europe now has a new impetus for pan-European activism.
Such an influence shall finally throw cold water over past practises that had little effect on European policy-making.
Steven Attard
President of JEF-Malta
Member of the Federal Committee, JEF-Europe
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