Today, the European Commission registered a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) entitled 'Fast, convenient, affordable, and above all climate-friendly transportation for all Europeans'.
The initiative invites the Commission to 'make travel by train a true alternative to aviation by creating a strong continental network and organization and removing imbalances in the market'. Specifically, the organisers propose an 'introduction of an EU-wide aviation fuel tax', a 'removal of VAT exemptions and the introduction of fair pricing' and the 'allocation of revenues to a strong European rail organisation with far-reaching authority'.
As this initiative fulfils the formal conditions established in the relevant legislation, the Commission considers it legally admissible under the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation . The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals at this stage. The registration does not influence the Commission's final decision on its merits, or any potential action it may take. The Commission will take a decision on the initiative only if it collects at least one million signatures from EU citizens.
Next steps
Following today's registration, the organisers have six months to open the 12-month period of signature collection. If an ECI receives at least one million statements of support during that time, with minimum numbers reached in at least seven Member States, the Commission is required to react, and decide what, if any, action it will take in response to the initiative, justifying its decision.
Background
The ECI was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty as an agenda-setting tool for citizens. It was officially launched in April 2012. Once formally registered, a European Citizens' Initiative allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to invite the European Commission to propose legal acts in areas where it has the power to act. The conditions for admissibility are: (1) the proposed action does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission's powers to submit a legal proposal, (2) it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious and (3) it is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union.
Since the launch of the European Citizens' Initiative, the Commission has registered 129 initiatives.
The content of the initiatives only expresses the views of the organisers and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission.
