European Year of Citizens 2013: More is needed

 

We don’t just want to discuss – we want to decide!

On Thursday (10/01/2013), the kick-off of the “European Year of Citizens” was celebrated in Dublin with a discussion event with EU Fundamental Rights Commissioner Vivianne Reding. The focus of this European Year of Citizens will be on the rights of EU citizens, especially the right to move within the EU, non-discrimination, voting in European elections and EU programmes for citizens.

“It is crucial for Europeans to be aware of their rights, as a citizen who does not know his/her rights is a citizen with fewer rights!” points out Pietro De Matteis, EFP co-President. The European Federalist Party (EFP), which is working for a more democratic and inclusive Europe, believes that this is not sufficient and that the plans for this Year of Citizens can still be improved substantially. EFP co-president Yves Gernigon notes that: “Europe needs to engage in a real debate. But we do not need more top-down ‘debates’ where politicians tell us citizens that we should just enjoy the rights they have given us. We citizens are the sovereign of Europe – and we demand the right to take decisions, not just debate”.

The EFP is convinced that only real democratic reforms can bring the EU closer to the citizens and only a real debate about the future course of Europe can keep the growing threat of nationalism at bay. The European Federalist Party wants that the EU finally takes the necessary steps towards democratic elections of a true European government of the people and for the people.

Media information: The two co-presidents of the European Federalist Party can be contacted at:

Yves Gernigon: yves.gernigon@lesfederalistes.eu

Pietro de Matteis: pietro.dematteis@federalistparty.eu

The European Federalist Party (EFP) is the pan-European party for a more democratic, united and solidary Europe: a Europe of the people and for the people. The EFP was founded in 2011 in Paris by citizens from all over Europe and has since developed into a cross-border movement with thousands of members and supporters and chapters in 9 EU states. The EFP was instrumental in the introduction of several key laws and reforms in the EU, including improvements to the Lisbon treaty, the European Citizens’ Initiative and the EU roaming regulation.

 

More information at www.federalistparty.eu

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