Sittings · Document
Report (2025/2027(INI)) 2025-05-14
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
14.5.2025 A10-0063/32
Amendment 32
Pál Szekeres, Nikola Bartůšek, Virginie Joron, Sebastian Kruis
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 21 March 2025 on the combined second and third periodic reports of the European Union, |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/33
Amendment 33
Pál Szekeres, Nikola Bartůšek, Virginie Joron, Sebastian Kruis
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| H. whereas Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by EU citizens; whereas the right to petition the European Parliament is one of the fundamental rights of EU citizens and residents and it allows them to address their elected representatives directly; whereas Parliament has long been at the forefront of the development of the petitions process internationally and has the most open, democratic and transparent petitions process in Europe, allowing petitioners to participate actively and effectively in its activities, whereas in exercising the right to petitions, citizens expect the EU institutions provide added value, cooperating with the Commission and Member State authorities, in solving their problems; | H. whereas Parliament is the only EU institution directly elected by EU citizens; whereas the right to petition the European Parliament is one of the fundamental rights of EU citizens and residents and it allows them to address their elected representatives directly; whereas many persons with disabilities lack equal access to information and communication due to the limited availability of accessible formats and due to the fact that national sign languages are not recognised as part of the EU’s multilingualism; whereas Parliament has long been at the forefront of the development of the petitions process internationally and has the most open, democratic and transparent petitions process in Europe, allowing petitioners to participate actively and effectively in its activities, whereas in exercising the right to petitions, citizens expect the EU institutions provide added value, cooperating with the Commission and Member State authorities, in solving their problems; |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/34
Amendment 34
Pál Szekeres, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Virginie Joron, Sebastian Kruis
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 3. Reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the EU’s fields of activity in order to ensure that citizens are properly informed about the scope of the Union’s competences and the different levels of decision-making; calls for an EU-wide enhanced structured information and communication campaign in all EU official languages in collaboration with national and regional ombudsmen, NGOs, and educational institutions to increase awareness of petition rights among citizens from all Member States, particularly addressing rural and disadvantaged communities and marginalised groups, as well as, remote islands and regions; proposes an expansion of outreach efforts through social media and local community events, emphasises the need for broader awareness-raising campaigns, through the active involvement of communications services, to help increase citizens’ knowledge about their right to petition, as well as the scope of the EU’s responsibilities and the competences of the Committee on Petitions, with a view to reducing the number of inadmissible petitions and enhancing citizen engagement in the decision-making process; recommends improving the digital accessibility of the Petitions Portal, including through adaptations for people with disabilities and higher quality translations into all official EU languages; recommends exploring the potential of the existing IT tools in order to increase citizens’ support on the portal, including through redirecting options to relevant complaint mechanisms; | 3. Reiterates the importance of a continuous public debate on the EU’s fields of activity in order to ensure that citizens are properly informed about the scope of the Union’s competences and the different levels of decision-making; calls for an EU-wide enhanced structured information and communication campaign to be carried out without additional cost (i.e. by using the current resources of the European Parliament Liaison Offices) in all EU official languages in collaboration with national and regional ombudsmen and educational institutions to increase awareness of petition rights among citizens from all Member States, particularly addressing rural communities, as well as, remote islands and regions; proposes an expansion of outreach efforts free from additional costs through social media, emphasises the need for broader public awareness of the scope of the EU’s responsibilities and the competences of the Committee on Petitions, with a view to reducing the number of inadmissible petitions and enhancing citizen engagement in the decision-making process; recommends improving the digital accessibility of the Petitions Portal, including through adaptations for people with disabilities and higher quality translations into all official EU languages; recommends exploring the potential of the existing IT tools in order to increase citizens’ support on the portal, including through redirecting options to relevant complaint mechanisms; |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/35
Amendment 35
Pál Szekeres, Virginie Joron, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Nikola Bartůšek, António Tânger Corrêa, Sebastian Kruis
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 7. Reiterates its call on the Commission to provide legal clarifications on the key criteria underpinning its strategic approach to enforcing EU law and to regularly update the Committee on Petitions on developments in infringement proceedings and to ensure that the Committee on Petitions gets access to the all relevant documents on EU Pilot and infringement procedures and legislative initiatives that were launched based on petitions received; is of the opinion that increased transparency and regular feedback on the handling of ongoing infringement procedures by the Commission would be beneficial for the Committee’s follow-up of open petitions; welcomes the recent Commission initiative to include petitions in the search system of the infringement register of the Commission; stresses that it is important for the Commission to conduct timely investigations into petitions, highlighting violations of rights affecting a large number of citizens and residents within the EU and to consult, where appropriate, the relevant national ombudsman; expresses its concerns about the way the Commission is handling some infringement procedures launched against Member States, including those related to issues raised in many petitions; encourages the Commission to put in place all necessary measures to improve transparency and effectiveness of its management of infringement procedures, which can be perceived as opaque by citizens; | 7. Reiterates its call on the Commission to provide legal clarifications on the key criteria underpinning its strategic approach to enforcing EU law and to regularly update the Committee on Petitions on developments in infringement proceedings and to ensure that the Committee on Petitions gets access to the all relevant documents on EU Pilot and infringement procedures and legislative initiatives that were launched based on petitions received; is of the opinion that increased transparency and regular feedback on the handling of ongoing infringement procedures by the Commission would be beneficial for the Committee’s follow-up of open petitions; welcomes the recent Commission initiative to include petitions in the search system of the infringement register of the Commission; stresses that it is important for the Commission to conduct timely investigations into petitions, highlighting violations of rights affecting a large number of citizens and residents within the EU and to consult, where appropriate, the relevant national ombudsman; encourages the Commission to put in place all necessary measures to improve transparency and effectiveness of its management of infringement procedures, which can be perceived as opaque by citizens; stresses the need for the Commission to be more transparent in its work, in particular in the handling of petitions and infringement proceedings; calls for all reasons for decisions to be published in full, in a timely manner and in a way that is accessible to the public in order to ensure genuine democratic transparency; |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/36
Amendment 36
Virginie Joron, Pál Szekeres, Nikola Bartůšek, António Tânger Corrêa, Sebastian Kruis
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 8a. Recalls that freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of European democracy; condemns any attempt to censor, marginalise or intimidate citizens or their elected representatives on the basis of their political opinions; stresses also that respect for the results of elections, at national and European level, is essential for maintaining citizens’ trust in the democratic process; |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/37
Amendment 37
Mireia Borrás Pabón, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Pál Szekeres, António Tânger Corrêa, Virginie Joron, Sebastian Kruis
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 20. Draws attention to the significant number of petitions submitted and discussed in relation to citizens’ concerns over the reintroduction of border checks between some Member States raising the problematic aspect of limitation of the free movement of persons within the EU and other aspects such as the strengths and the weaknesses of the extension of the Schengen area, as well as the costs of not belonging to the Schengen area; appreciates the significant role played by the Committee on Petitions, in particular the host of activities carried out, the adoption in committee of a short motion for a resolution on the accession to the Schengen area on 27 June 2023 and the related Parliament resolution, to strongly support the enlargement of the Schengen area to include Romania and Bulgaria the organisation of the public hearing on Schengen Borders on 18 July 2023 in association with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; welcomes the unanimous decision by the Council for the full membership of both countries of the Schengen area as of 1 January 2025 allowing the full exercise of the fundamental freedoms of the EU Single Market; | 20. Draws attention to the significant number of petitions submitted and discussed in relation to citizens’ concerns over the reintroduction of border checks between some Member States raising the problematic aspect of limitation of the free movement of persons within the EU and other aspects such as the strengths and the weaknesses of the extension of the Schengen area; recalls that Member States may reintroduce internal border controls1a in the event of a serious threat to public policy or internal security, or under exceptional circumstances threatening the overall functioning of the Schengen area; appreciates the significant role played by the Committee on Petitions, in particular the host of activities carried out, the adoption in committee of a short motion for a resolution on the accession to the Schengen area on 27 June 2023 and the related Parliament resolution, to strongly support the enlargement of the Schengen area to include Romania and Bulgaria the organisation of the public hearing on Schengen Borders on 18 July 2023 in association with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; welcomes the unanimous decision by the Council for the full membership of both countries of the Schengen area as of 1 January 2025 allowing the full exercise of the fundamental freedoms of the EU Single Market; |
| _________________ | |
| 1a Articles 25 to 30 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), OJ L 77, 23.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/399/oj). |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/38
Amendment 38
Mireia Borrás Pabón, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Jorge Martín Frías, Pál Szekeres, António Tânger Corrêa, Virginie Joron, Hermann Tertsch
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 21. Takes note of the sudden increase in petitions of Spanish origin in the second half of 2023 concerning the risks to the rule of law in Spain as a result of the Spanish Government’s intention to adopt an Amnesty Law contrary to constitutional and European law; | 21. Takes note of the sudden increase in petitions of Spanish origin in the second half of 2023 concerning the risks to the rule of law in Spain as a result of the Spanish Government’s intention to adopt an Amnesty Law contrary to constitutional and European law; deplores the attacks on the rule of law and the separation of powers carried out by the Spanish Government; |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/39
Amendment 39
Pál Szekeres, António Tânger Corrêa, Virginie Joron, Sebastian Kruis
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 28. Stresses the commitment of the Committee on Petitions to protect the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls the annual workshop of held by the Committee on Petitions on 29 November 2023 on the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls that its first part focused on how persons with disabilities dealt with the recent crises (energy costs, war, high inflation, etc.) and how EU measures helped to overcome these obstacles while the second part addressed the issue of how the European institutions have built inclusive communication with citizens with disabilities; also highlights, in this context, the adoption by the Committee of an opinion in the form of a letter on establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities on 29 November 2023; reiterates that the Commission should address the cases where the national authorities refuse to recognise the rights for social security benefits for person with disabilities, thus leaving them without the necessary means to cover their basic needs; underlines as well in this context the imperative need for a full and consistent transposition of the European Accessibility Act and calls on the Member States to avoid further delays that hinder the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls that the Accessibility Act aims at improving the life of at least 87 million persons with disabilities, facilitating their access to, inter alia, public transport, banking services, computers, TVs, e-books and online shops; | 28. Stresses the commitment of the Committee on Petitions to protect the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls the annual workshop of held by the Committee on Petitions on 29 November 2023 on the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls that its first part focused on how persons with disabilities dealt with the recent crises (energy costs, war, high inflation, etc.) and how EU measures helped to overcome these obstacles while the second part addressed the issue of how the European institutions have built inclusive communication with citizens with disabilities; also highlights, in this context, the adoption by the Committee of an opinion in the form of a letter on establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities on 29 November 2023; stresses that access to social security benefits for persons with disabilities falls under national responsibility and social coordination schemes, and that disputes should also be addressed through and respected by the judicial mechanisms in place and their competencies via the obligation of the exhausting of legal remedies, rather than through direct intervention by the Commission, in respect of the principle of subsidiarity; underlines as well in this context the imperative need for a full and consistent transposition of the European Accessibility Act and calls on the Member States to avoid further delays that hinder the rights of persons with disabilities; recalls that the Accessibility Act aims at improving the life of at least 87 million persons with disabilities, facilitating their access to, inter alia, public transport, banking services, computers, TVs, e-books and online shops; |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/40
Amendment 40
Pál Szekeres, Virginie Joron, Nikola Bartůšek
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29. Stresses the important contribution made by the Committee on Petitions to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, as revealed by its treatment of a number of petitions on this sensitive topic; acknowledges, in this context, the efforts of Parliament’s services and notes that not just the best technical but the most accessible solution for deaf citizens must be found in order to communicate with them in their own mother tongue, in national sign languages; requests the modification of the Rules of Procedures in close cooperation with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) committee in order to eliminate the written communication with deaf citizens; also highlights, in this context, the adoption by the Committee of an opinion in the form of a letter on establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities on 29 November 2023; | 29. Stresses the important contribution made by the Committee on Petitions to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, as revealed by its treatment of a number of petitions on this sensitive topic; acknowledges, in this context, the efforts of Parliament’s services and notes that not just the best technical but the most accessible solution for deaf citizens must be found in order to communicate with them in their own mother tongue, in national sign languages; requests the modification of the Rules of Procedures in close cooperation with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) committee in order to eliminate the mandatory exclusively written communication with citizens who are sign language users, deaf or hard of hearing so that, upon their request, they can use their sign language during the procedure; also highlights, in this context, the adoption by the Committee of an opinion in the form of a letter on establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities on 29 November 2023; |
Or. en
14.5.2025 A10-0063/41
Amendment 41
Virginie Joron, Pál Szekeres, Nikola Bartůšek, António Tânger Corrêa, Sebastian Kruis
on behalf of the PfE Group
Report A10-0063/2025
Gheorghe Falcă
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023
(2025/2027(INI))
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 31. Recalls the fact that relations with the European Ombudsman represent one of the responsibilities conferred on the Committee on Petitions by Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; welcomes Parliament’s constructive cooperation with the European Ombudsman, with whom the Committee on Petitions shares the objectives of ensuring the transparency, professionalism and integrity of the EU institutions vis-à-vis European citizens, as well as its involvement in the European Network of Ombudsmen; | 31. Recalls the fact that relations with the European Ombudsman represent one of the responsibilities conferred on the Committee on Petitions by Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; welcomes Parliament’s constructive cooperation with the European Ombudsman, with whom the Committee on Petitions shares the objectives of ensuring the transparency, professionalism and integrity of the EU institutions vis-à-vis European citizens, as well as its involvement in the European Network of Ombudsmen; stresses the need to step up cooperation with the European Ombudsman in order to ensure a swift, impartial and transparent response to citizens’ complaints about any administrative malfunctioning within the EU institutions; |
Or. en