European democracy

38.1) Ensuring the protection of EU values laid down in the treaties, including the rule of law and a strong social model, which are at the core of the European democracy. In its relationship with external countries, the European Union should firstly strengthen common democratic values in its borders. Only after achieving this, the European Union can be an ambassador of our democratic model in the countries that are ready and willing to implement it, through diplomacy and dialogue;

38.2) Conceiving a EU wide referendum, to be triggered by the European Parliament, in exceptional cases on matters particularly important to all European citizens;

* This measure has been identified as needing Treaty change for full implementation.

There are currently no implementing initiatives that address this particular CoFE measure.

38.3) Amending EU electoral law to harmonise electoral conditions (voting age, election date, requirements for electoral districts, candidates, political parties and their financing) for the European Parliament elections, as well as moving towards voting for Union-wide lists, or 'transnational lists',with candidates from multiple Member States, having taken into account the views expressed among citizens across the EU Member States on this issue. Some of the Members of the European Parliament should be elected through a European Union-wide list, the rest being elected within the Members' States; This reform should also aim at facilitating digital voting possibilities130 and guaranteeing effective voting rights for persons with disabilities,

38.4) Strengthening links between citizens and their elected representatives, taking into account national specificities and citizens' desire to be closer to them and have a feeling that their concerns lead to specific action by elected representatives in the European Parliament and national parliaments. This is a universal issue and people of all ages should beengaged; European citizens should have a greater say on who is elected as President of the Commission. This could be achieved either by the direct election of the Commission President or a lead candidate system; The European Parliament should have the right of legislative initiative, in order to propose the topics to be discussed and, subsequently, adopt the necessary texts to follow up on the recommendations that emerge from deliberations; European Parliament should decide on the budget of the EU as it is the right of parliaments at the national level; Political parties, civil society organisations, trade unions should be more lively and accessible in order for citizens to bemore involved and engaged in European democracy.This would also contribute to stimulate the inclusion of EU topics in public debates via political parties, organised civil society and social partners, not only during European elections but ahead of national, regional and local elections as well; Democracy is embodied in the institutions and in society at large, including in the workplace through the role of social partners.

* This measure has been identified as needing Treaty change for full implementation.