COMMISSION DECISION

of 18 July 2018

on the proposed citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Permanent European Union Citizenship’

(Only the English text is authentic)

(2018/C 264/05)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 on the citizens’ initiative (1), and in particular Article 4 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The subject-matter of the proposed citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Permanent European Union Citizenship’ refers to the following: ‘European Union Citizenship’.

(2) The objectives of the proposed citizens’ initiative refer to the following: ‘EU citizens elect the European Parliament and participate in its work, thus exercising treaty rights, enhancing Union democracy, and reinforcing its citizenship. Noting the ECJ’s view of Union citizenship as a ‘fundamental status’ of nationals of Member States, and that Brexit will strip millions of EU citizens of this status and their vote in European elections, requests the Commission propose means to avoid risk of collective loss of EU citizenship and rights, and assure all EU citizens that, once attained, such status is permanent and their rights acquired’.

(3) The Treaty on European Union (TEU) reinforces citizenship of the Union and enhances further the democratic functioning of the Union by providing, inter alia, that every citizen is to have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union by way of a European citizens’ initiative.

(4) To this end, the procedures and conditions required for the citizens’ initiative should be clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate to the nature of the citizens’ initiative so as to encourage participation by citizens and to make the Union more accessible.

(5) A legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties can be adopted in the field of rights of third-country nationals residing legally in a Member State, including the conditions governing freedom of movement and of residence in other Member States of the EU. While such a legal act may not confer the right to vote or to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament on citizens of a state that has withdrawn from the Union pursuant to Article 50 TEU, it may confer certain rights similar to rights of citizens of the Union to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States on citizens of such state. Moreover, rights of EU citizens, who have already exercised their freedom of movement prior to the withdrawal of a Member State from the Union, and their family members, can be safeguarded in an agreement pursuant to Article 50 TEU.

(6) The proposed citizens’ initiative does not fall manifestly outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties in accordance with Article 4(2)(b) of the Regulation.

(7) The proposed citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Permanent European Union Citizenship’ should therefore be registered,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The proposed citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Permanent European Union Citizenship’ is hereby registered.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on 23 July 2018.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the organisers (members of the citizens’ committee) of the proposed citizens’ initiative entitled ‘Permanent European Union Citizenship’, represented by Mr Anthony SIMPSON and Mr Dexter WHITFIELD acting as contact persons.

Done at Brussels, 18 July 2018.

For the Commission

Frans TIMMERMANS

First Vice-President

(1)

OJ L 65, 11.3.2011, p. 1