Pressmeddelande från CPR 2006-05-10
Campaign for Parliament Reform launches Citizens’ Initiative to stop the Strasbourg Circus
European Parliament, Brussels, May 10, 2006: Members of the Campaign for Parliament Reform launched a citizens initiative,
www.oneseat.eu , to generate EU citizens' support for ending commuting circus to Strasbourg and consequently the waste of the tax payer's money.
After the recent turbulence over the Parliament's buildings in Strasbourg, having a single seat European Parliament in Brussels is once again being brought to the foreground.
“At every school visit I have made during the last seven years, I have got the question why the European Parliament commutes between Brussels and Strasbourg. For those of us who are supporters of the European ideal, it is very important that EU do good and right things. The question about Strasbourg is a question that has disgraced the EU for a long time with its lorries full of the parliamentarians' boxes and huge expense. Therefore, I thought we should start a citizen's initiative in order to collect a million signatures so the European Commission puts the question on the agenda.” says Cecilia Malmström, (ALDE-SE), initiator of
www.oneseat.eu.
CPR, which works towards efficiency, accountability and transparency in the European Parliament, has been grappling with the Strasbourg seat issue for years.
“I think that the European Parliament needs to exercise its duty to be the voice of citizens in Europe. This is their opportunity for citizens to share their thoughts and opinions– and they want an accountable, efficient institution. That can not become a reality if we continue this ridiculous, costly, monthly migration.” says Piia-Noora Kauppi, (EPP-ED, FI), one of the founding members of the CPR.
In 2000, a resolution adopted with 401 to 77 votes, the EP strongly demanded for the right for the European Parliament to decide for itself where it should meet. We hope that this momentum will continue now.
“If taxpayers’ money is being wasted because of a closed-door, member state compromise, we need to do all we can to make governments understand that this is not the Europe we want for the future. More importantly, this is not the future of Europe which EU citizens will support anymore. The future of the EU has to be competitive, accountable and efficient-- which is not possible while running one institution in three countries.", says Alexander Alvaro, (ALDE-DE), current chair of CPR.
Article 47 on participatory democracy in the proposed Constitution, allows for mechanisms for EU citizens to become more active and to participate in the debate on European issues. If the petition collects 1 million signatures, the Commission will raise these important questions.
Margot Wallström has repeatedly mentioned that she supports the citizens' initiative idea despite that the constitution has not been ratified. She’s waiting for the first initiative to make it to her desk, and we are looking forward to delivering it!
For further information, please contact Margot Lotz, +32 477 47 87 08, or email
margot_lotz@bm.com or see
www.ep-reform.net