{"id":1816,"date":"2021-12-17T11:31:20","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T10:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greens-efa.eu\/opinions\/?p=1816"},"modified":"2022-01-03T13:52:04","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T12:52:04","slug":"citizens-demand-stronger-democracy-and-fundamental-eu-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greens-efa.eu\/opinions\/citizens-demand-stronger-democracy-and-fundamental-eu-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"Let\u2019s listen to the people: Citizens demand stronger democracy and fundamental EU reform"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An independent panel of EU citizens has called for the European Union to be more democratic. As part of the Conference on the Future of Europe (COFE), EU citizens are being asked to help decide on the direction of the EU for the coming years. Greens\/EFA MEPs Daniel Freund, Gwen Delbos-Corfield and Damian Boeselager<\/strong> explain how the project works and argue that the EU must trust its citizens by following through on their demands.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Last weekend, 200 randomly-selected European citizens decided on strong recommendations for EU reform. It\u2019s the first time a representative panel of citizens from every EU country, assembled by randomised telephone calls, has deliberated on and made recommendations directly to politicians.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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The EU Citizens\u2019 Panel, formed as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe<\/a>, emphasized that they want a stronger, more democratic Europe that defends its values. They also called for work to begin on a European constitution. The recommendations show that the people of Europe want more democracy, better enforcement of European values and more investment in a fairer economy.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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The panel was made up of 200 strangers, all total newcomers to the complex world of EU politics. They gathered over three weekends and put together their proposals in a spirit of serious and friendly deliberation. Seeing people from different countries coming together to dream about a fairer and greener future for the EU is truly inspiring. And that\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that we take these proposals seriously.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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It is the duty of European and national politicians to turn these recommendations into laws. The Conference on the Future of Europe was an invitation to our citizens to shape the future of the EU, and so their proposals must be properly implemented. The Greens\/EFA Group has always believed in the power of democracy, and we will keep pushing to make sure that the people of Europe are taken seriously.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What changes do citizens want from the EU?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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The Citizens\u2019 Panel<\/a> on democracy, rights, rules of law and security called for several ground-breaking recommendations to be carried out by the EU:<\/p>\n<\/div>

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