Last week, a historic moment for the European Union took place. For the first time, the European Parliament called for a Convention to reform our EU treaties. Renew Europe Group welcomed the plenary vote and this strong message from the European Parliament. Reforming our Union, based on the Conference on the Future of Europe and the will of European citizens, is a priority for Renew Europe.

Ten years have passed since the current EU treaties entered into force. During this period, various crises have stricken the EU. The last two years, with the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine, further evidence of the need to update and adapt our fundamental texts.

One EU Member State should not be able to block concrete change for 450 million European citizens because of the unanimity rule in the European Council. The EU should have more competences in relevant areas such as health, energy, defence and social and economic policies. The EU should ensure better protection of its own values and have effective means to protect them. The European Parliament should be stronger and more capable to translate the voice of EU citizens into action, through the right of legislative initiative.

Last week, the European Parliament also adopted a report calling for the introduction of right of legislative initiative for the European Parliament. This right is a critical asset for any parliamentary assembly and is indispensable for a genuine European democracy. Such a right would also strengthen the voice of citizens at the EU policy level.

With this, the European Parliament has sent a strong and clear message to the EU institutions and EU Member States. The ball is in their court. EU citizens are watching, and we cannot fail them.

Guy Verhofstadt MEP (Open VLD, BE), Renew Europe negotiator of the resolution calling for a Convention, declared: “The citizens in the Conference on the Future of Europe called upon us to make Europe more effective, more tangible, more democratic. We owe it to them to implement the conclusions, even the hardest parts, where the treaties need to be updated. With this vote, the European Parliament follows up on its promise, so that the EU can fully deliver on its potential.”

Sandro Gozi MEP (Renaissance, FR), Renew Europe shadow rapporteur on the European Parliament's right of initiative file, added: “A parliament proposes, adopts laws and controls the executive. Otherwise, it is not a parliament. The European Parliament must enjoy a right of legislative initiative, which represents a pillar of democratic legitimacy, and was a clear request formulated by citizens during the Conference on the Future of Europe. This issue has become even more urgent due to the return of the war to our continent, requiring the emergence of a truly sovereign and democratic Europe.

A general and direct power to propose legislation would also re-balance the de facto erosion of the European Commission's right of initiative by the European Council, which we have been witnessing helplessly in recent years. More democracy, less sherpa-cracy! Renew Europe will be at the forefront in the re-foundation of European democracy. This is the purpose of our fight, and we will win it, together!”