Translation of "droit d initiative " (French → English) :

E. whereas the right of initiative is often confused with the right to petition; whereas there is a need to ensure that citizens are fully aware of the distinction between both rights, particularly since a petition is directed to Parliament while a citizens' initiative is directed to the Commission,

1. Welcomes the fact that the Treaty of Lisbon makes it possible for one million Union citizens from different Member States collectively to invite the Commission to submit legislative proposals, and believes that such a legal right will significantly raise awareness of Union citizenship among Europeans; recalls that transparency and democratic participation must be achieved by a variety of forms of partnership among the EU and Member States, regional and local institutions, social partners and civil society; calls on the Commission to prepare transparent and easily understandable procedures implementing the "citizenship initiative", so that Union cit ...[+++]izens are able to effectively initiate legislation immediately after the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force; while it hopes that it will not be necessary, stresses that the Commission should incorporate this right of initiative into its policies regardless of the final status of the Treaty;

1. Welcomes the fact that the Treaty of Lisbon makes it possible for one million Union citizens from different Member States collectively to invite the Commission to submit legislative proposals, and believes that such a legal right will significantly raise awareness of Union citizenship among Europeans; recalls that transparency and democratic participation must be achieved by a variety of forms of partnership among the EU and Member States, regional and local institutions, social partners and civil society; calls on the Commission to prepare transparent and easily understandable procedures implementing the "citizenship initiative", so that Union cit ...[+++]izens are able to effectively initiate legislation immediately after the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force; while it hopes that it will not be necessary, stresses that the Commission should incorporate this right of initiative into its policies regardless of the final status of the Treaty;

- By analogy with the obligations concerning the Commission's right of initiative set out in the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, the Commission feels that the Member States should also carry out consultations and impact assessments when they exercise their right of initiative and make legislative proposals under Title VI of the Treaty on European Union and Title IV of the Treaty establishing the European Communities.

It is vital that we defend it, as you said, and strengthen it, but we must also adapt it, modernise it and bring it into line with Parliament’s work, for the right of initiative is not a weapon: the right of initiative is the driving force behind the institutions.

It should be noted that the Member States, like the Commission, have a right of initiative under the Treaties, but for measures based on Title IV EC this right only extends up to 30 April 2004.