Citizens demand the implementation of the CoFoE proposals

The present is a communication from JEF-Europe, originally available here.

On Friday, 2 December 2022, members of the Citizens’ Panels of the Conference on the Future of Europe issued open letters addressed to the European Commission and the Council of the EU, demanding the implementation of the proposals adopted during the Conference.

To the European Commission

2-12-2022

Dear Members of the European Commission,

Today, December 2nd, the citizen component of the Conference on the Future of Europe will receive feedback on the decisions made regarding the future use of the proposals elaborated. That will be welcome. So far, we have struggled a lot to figure out what exactly each EU institution is planning to do with our work. The EU Parliament kept us involved, especially after the 9th of May, and showed constant support towards our proposals. Therefore, we felt the necessity to write only to you and to the Council of Ministers of the EU.

You are aware of the efforts we have put into the Conference since October 2021 to deliver, on the 9th of May, a proper and comprehensive report. This report was finalized after consensus with each component of the Plenary was reached; therefore, on the 9th of May all three EU institutions officially took the commitment to provide concrete actions based on this report, as stated in the Conference’s joint declaration.

The reasons why we mention this are the following. At the time of writing, we only know that the Commission has designed a working plan for the next year which is much inspired by our proposals and has decided to make citizens assemblies a permanent assistance of its decision-making process. Firstly, this is great news! We really appreciate such a proactive use of the Conference outcome.

Nevertheless, we are still not fully satisfied because the organization and timing of these new permanent panels are not clear. A closer look at the Commission working plan for the next year reveals that simply many previous ideas of the Commission have been reintroduced, adding afterwards that they had come from the citizens’ proposals.

This plan clearly features a selection of our proposals that are easy to implement. The proposals that are more ambitious have been left out, with no clear reasoning. This is exactly what we have been worried about.

Also, we want to address comments that have been made by multiple high-ranking politicians on our proposals, such as “oh again these proposals from the citizens who are playing as politicians”. Although we know this sentiment is not shared between all the representatives, we find these kinds of statements disrespectful and quite wrong. Since the citizen ambassadors simply have put their utmost into what has been asked of them. That being the defense and communication of the proposals made by the European citizens they represent. Today we want to know if you are holding up to your end of the joint declaration. According to which the proposals must be delivered in a transparent, comprehensive manner, while fully respecting the integrity of their content, context, and spirit.

As already mentioned, it is good to see that initiatives like citizens assemblies are to be implemented as permanent pillars of European democracy. However, we still don’t have any assurance that our proposals are not simply cherry-picking and interpreted with the Conference as a false pretence. Therefore, we still don’t have any assurance that future citizens assemblies will really affect your policies, even or especially when the outcome is more ambitious and challenging than expected.

In other words, despite some encouraging initiatives rising on the horizon, we still don’t feel fully supported by the EU Commission. Since we have not been involved in its working for the 2023 agenda, neither have we been told in a crystal-clear way which plans we are setting for the future panels and assemblies. We think that our fear of being used as a fancy cover for other political interests is founded. And we are not at ease with that.

Instead, we expect clear and honest communication about the implementation process. You have stated that “90 percent of the proposals are implementable within the current treaties”, this disregards the effects of unanimity voting. The majority of the proposals will not get full unanimity in the Council of Ministers of the European Union. We do not need empty promises. We are in touch with the politicians involved, and aware of the way our proposals are currently being used. Be honest with us, so that we can all work efficiently during this unique opportunity. That way we can establish good citizen participation in the European Union. And set a bright example of how democracy in the future could be.

We want to be able to trust you. Therefore, we want you to show your best efforts by implementing all proposals, as a whole, without selecting based on existing interests. We want you to be ambitious while pursuing the proposals which are more difficult to fulfil, since a lot of thought has gone into creating them. We want you to keep talking with us, in a cooperative manner. This is crucial to properly convey the intent behind some proposals. Otherwise, they can be interpreted out of context or in another misleading way.

Finally, we also want you to always be transparent on what you are going to do with the outcome of the Conference. We want this, because the success of future citizens’ assemblies will depend on the success of this Conference itself. If you do not show the required effort now, how can Europe be sure that you will in future assemblies? Should the follow-up fail to faithfully represent the citizens’ voice, a precedent will be made. Further initiatives to develop citizens’ assemblies in the EU will be stained with a stigma. This would be the opposite of what we hope to achieve – we want citizens to actively take part in a durable manner.

As mentioned many times, please don’t waste this unique opportunity to shape a rejuvenated, democratic, and united Europe. We will stay on guard with regards to our Proposals, we see the actions the Commission has already taken. And we hope to see that the Commission will keep working on the proposals with the same effort.

In short, what we want:

Sincerely,

• Huub Verhoeven, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Joy Clara Schäflein, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Dorin Hell, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Laura Maria Cinquini, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Mansef Campos, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Aleksandar Milisov, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Alexandru-Mihai Raileanu, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Alisa Wegner, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Almudena, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Álvaro, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Andrea Cavestro, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Annemie De Clerck, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Antonia Kieper, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Antonio Giardina, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Antonio Sellerino, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Augusts Redovics, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Baciu Oana Stefania, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Beate Buchberger, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Cara Giovanna, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Chiara Alicandro, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Christos Miggas, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Cinque Maria, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Clara Garcia, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Dajana Milinkovic, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Daniela Dumitru, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Dennis Wambolt, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Desislava Simeonova, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Dominik Unterüberbacher, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Dragan Volarević, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Dumitru Daniela, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Elena Dimitrova, Permanent Representative of the Bulgarian Parliament
• Elena Rodriguez Doval, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Elsa Bestard Navarro, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Elyes Ouerghi, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Eric Jullien, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Éva Mészáros, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Ēvalds Dukuls, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Ewa Buchta, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Filiberto Calabrese, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Filipe C. Silva, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Francesco, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Francesco Indiveri, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Gabriela Hegenberg, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Geraldie Bulk, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Giardina Antonio, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Hafida Guellati, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Hajnalka Kozmáné Gombkötő, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Ilenia Greco, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Inês Pascoal da Silva, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Inocencio Lázaro Alonso, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Ivo Raso, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Jakob Schreiber, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Jessy Calapnese, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Jesús Teruel, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Joémy Lindau, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Jorge Matono, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Juan Milla Olaya, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Julia Eichberger, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Krasimir Zlatinov, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Leonie Kukla, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Lindau Joémy, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Linnea Fenske, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Lucia Balirano, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Giselle Magnery, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Maria Cinque, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Maria Helena Marrana, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Maria João Bernardo, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• María López, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Marina Chambel, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Mark O’Brien, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Martina Brambilla, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Masevszki Jánosné, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Moritz Ritter, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Nicoletta Busa, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Normunds Legzdiņš, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Paloma, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Paolo Barone, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Paolo Vittorio Mauro, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Pellarin, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Péter Csákai-Szőke, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• PG, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Piero Savaris, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Scalabese Piciberto, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Seweryn Gołaszewski, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Simon Weber, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Teresa Ermenegilda Curatelo, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Teruel, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Thilde Karlsson, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Tuomas Suihkonen, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Valentina Balzani, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Vasiliki Fassou, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Violeta Anton, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Vladimír Lako, National Panelist
• Wiktoria Tyszka Ulężałka, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Troels de Leon Petersen, Citzens’ Panel Ambassador

To the Council of the European Union

2-12-2022

Dear Members of the Council of the Ministers of the European Union,

Today, December 2nd, the citizen component of the Conference on the Future of Europe will receive feedback on the decisions made regarding the future use of the proposals elaborated. That will be welcome. So far, we have struggled a lot to figure out what exactly each EU institution is planning to do with our work. The EU Parliament kept us involved, especially after the 9th of May, and showed constant support towards our proposals. Therefore, we felt the necessity to write only to you and to the European Commission.

You are aware of the efforts we have put into the Conference since October 2021 to deliver, on the 9th of May, a proper and comprehensive report. This report was finalized after consensus with each component of the Plenary was reached; therefore, on the 9th of May all three EU institutions officially took the commitment to provide concrete actions based on this report, as stated in the Conference’s joint declaration.

During the past months, both the EU Parliament and EU Commission have supported the Conference and its outcome on many occasions, and through many actions, proposals, and public speeches. Hence, the constant and firm silence of the Council has been even more striking. We have mentioned this silence before, on the 12th of March to be exact. Here we asked the Council which recommendations they supported. We asked for an answer before the 9th of May. We did not receive an answer at all, instead we got the same silence that we are still getting now. Of course, we can imagine that there were other pressing issues to deal with, but this does not allow you to break the commitment you made when you launched the Conference, together with the Parliament and the Commission.

As many of our proposals push for more involved European action in different areas, we think this silent and stalling behaviour is damaging the potential of this Conference, although this project has been initiated by the three institutions. We believe that more cooperation would mean less bureaucracy and faster response to political situations. European and national interests have been intertwined together for decades. You chose this Conference, now it is up to you to show interest and respect for the citizens involved and their proposals. This means to reinforce the trust of the people in their politicians. They would recognize that their own governments are not preventing change for the better, the change they have been waiting for.

This applies to all our proposals; we do not necessarily want to achieve treaty change. However, in case that amending the treaty is the only way for implementing a proposal, we see it as a necessity that this is done. The requirement of amending the treaty and requesting to open a Convention is already supported by Parliament and the Commission. The Council has not expressed its support, thus showing again its unwillingness to listen to the citizens’ voice, and to pursue the change the EU needs.

Many member states expressed their concern that such proposals were made because of the influence of Parliament. During the European Citizen Panels, citizens worked with each other, trying to formulate ways to improve the EU. They have not been in contact with politicians, and therefore influence from Parliament was not possible. They simply found out afterwards that some issues required greater changes than expected. Treaty changes. It is no wonder that the elected members of the Parliament have the same opinions as the European citizens.

Many Member States believe that now it is not the right time to start the process of treaty change, due to its complexity. Amending treaties tomorrow when the necessity is today, it makes no sense. There will never be a perfect time.

We hope that today you will show us that our worries were unnecessary, that you respect your commitments, that it took longer than expected to come to a decision, and most importantly that you will work with us towards a better future.

Sincerely,

• Huub Verhoeven, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Joy Clara Schäflein, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Dorin Hell, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Laura Maria Cinquini, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Mansef Campos, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Aleksandar Milisov, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Alexandru-Mihai Raileanu, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Alisa Wegner, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Almudena, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Álvaro, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Andrea Cavestro, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Annemie De Clerck, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Antonia Kieper, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Antonio Giardina, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Antonio Sellerino, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Augusts Redovics, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Baciu Oana Stefania, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Beate Buchberger, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Cara Giovanna, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Chiara Alicandro, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Christos Miggas, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Cinque Maria, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Clara Garcia, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Dajana Milinkovic, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Daniela Dumitru, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Dennis Wambolt, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Desislava Simeonova, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Dominik Unterüberbacher, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Dragan Volarević, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Dumitru Daniela, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Elena Dimitrova, Permanent Representative of the Bulgarian Parliament
• Elena Rodriguez Doval, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Elsa Bestard Navarro, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Elyes Ouerghi, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Eric Jullien, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Éva Mészáros, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Ēvalds Dukuls, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Ewa Buchta, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Filiberto Calabrese, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Filipe C. Silva, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Francesco, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Francesco Indiveri, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Gabriela Hegenberg, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Geraldie Bulk, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Giardina Antonio, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Hafida Guellati, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Hajnalka Kozmáné Gombkötő, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Ilenia Greco, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Inês Pascoal da Silva, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Inocencio Lázaro Alonso, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Ivo Raso, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Jakob Schreiber, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Jessy Calapnese, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Jesús Teruel, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Joémy Lindau, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Jorge Matono, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Juan Milla Olaya, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Julia Eichberger, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Krasimir Zlatinov, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Leonie Kukla, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Lindau Joémy, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Linnea Fenske, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Lucia Balirano, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Giselle Magnery, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Maria Cinque, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Maria Helena Marrana, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Maria João Bernardo, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• María López, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Marina Chambel, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Mark O’Brien, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Martina Brambilla, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Masevszki Jánosné, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Moritz Ritter, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Nicoletta Busa, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Normunds Legzdiņš, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Paloma, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Paolo Barone, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Paolo Vittorio Mauro, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Pellarin, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Péter Csákai-Szőke, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• PG, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Piero Savaris, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Scalabese Piciberto, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Seweryn Gołaszewski, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Simon Weber, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Teresa Ermenegilda Curatelo, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Teruel, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Thilde Karlsson, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Tuomas Suihkonen, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Valentina Balzani, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Vasiliki Fassou, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Violeta Anton, Citizens’ Panel Participant
• Vladimír Lako, National Panelist
• Wiktoria Tyszka Ulężałka, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador
• Troels de Leon Petersen, Citizens’ Panel Ambassador