A Reflection on the Participation of Individuals in the Creation of European Law through the European Citizens’ Initiative and its Scope in International Law

  • Carlos Espaliú Berdud Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18543/ced-54-2016pp181-202
Keywords: democratic functioning of the EU, international subjectivity, individual, civil society, european citizens’ initiative, legislative procedure in the EU, european citizens’ rights

Abstract

The Lisbon Treaty introduced in the Law of the European Union (EU ) the European citizens’ initiative, with the aim to enhance further the democratic functioning of the Union. From the broader Public International Law perspective, it is a unique legal institution in the law of international organizations, considering that, so far, no similar right for citizens is supported by any other international organization in the world. Furthermore, this step seems to imply, potentially, an important push in the growing international subjectivity of individuals. Indeed, by associating European citizens in the formation of some important EU resolutions, the European citizens’ initiative allows individuals to take part in the law making process of European Law, at least in an indirect way. Nevertheless, this potential influence is weaken by the poor outcome of the proposals reaching the European Commission have had in the first three years since the way was opened for presenting initiatives.

Received: 11 November 2015
Accepted: 11 January 2016
Published online: 30 April 2016

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Author Biography

Carlos Espaliú Berdud, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Profesor agregado de Derecho Internacional Público
y Derecho Europeo de la Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Barcelona) Acreditado Catedrático AQU
Published
2016-04-30
How to Cite
Espaliú Berdud, Carlos. 2016. “A Reflection on the Participation of Individuals in the Creation of European Law through the European Citizens’ Initiative and Its Scope in International Law”. Deusto Journal of European Studies, no. 54 (April), 181-202. https://doi.org/10.18543/ced-54-2016pp181-202.
Issue
No. 54 (2016): Europa: impacto de la crisis, salidas y horizontes
Section
Other Articles

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