Journal of the Charles University Law Faculty
Magdaléna Svobodová
The European Citizens' Initiative as an Attempt to Direct Democracy in the European Union
Jurisprudence 3/2014 Section: Articles Page: 17-25
Keywords: European union, European citizens' initiative, Lisbon treaty, direct democracy
Abstract: The author in his paper focused on the European citizens' initiative as a new instrument introduced by the Lisbon Treaty. It is an element of direct democracy, which seeks to remove the democratic deficit of the European Union. The author analyzes the legislation of the Institute in primary law (the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) and in secondary legislation. It evaluates the experience with European citizens' initiative, focusing on specific successful and unsuccessful civil initiatives. It deliberates on the effectiveness and benefits of this tool.
