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REPORT (2020/2044(INI))

On the outcome of the Committee on Petitions’ deliberations during 2019

A-9-2020-0230

Committee on Petitions · Rapporteur: Kosma Złotowski

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This is a resolution on the outcome of the Committee on Petitions' deliberations during 2019. It reviews the 1 357 petitions received, the main subjects raised, and the committee's work on admissibility, transparency, the European Ombudsman and the Petitions Web Portal. It calls for better information for citizens about the EU's competences and the right to petition, and for more active press and social media work to raise the committee's visibility. It asks the Commission to handle petitions faster, to give accurate answers within three months, and to check whether national authorities are solving the problems raised. It calls for greater transparency in the Council, a recast of Regulation 1049/2001, and swift legal reforms on conflicts of interest and ethical issues. It urges action on environmental protection, climate change, waste management, animal welfare, disability rights, Brexit and the European Citizens' Initiative.

Committee position. The Committee on Petitions proposes that Parliament adopt the resolution on its 2019 deliberations, calling for better information to citizens, faster Commission replies, greater transparency and action on the main subjects raised in petitions.

Key points

  1. Parliament received 1 357 petitions in 2019, an increase of 11.23 % on the 1 220 petitions submitted in 2018.
  2. Of the 1 357 petitions, 938 were declared admissible, 406 inadmissible and 13 withdrawn; the 30 % inadmissible rate shows a lack of clarity about the EU's fields of activity.
  3. The committee held 9 ordinary meetings in 2019, where 250 petitions were discussed with 239 petitioners present and 126 petitioners taking the floor.
  4. The main subjects of concern in 2019 were environmental matters, fundamental rights, constitutional affairs, health, transport, the internal market, employment, and culture and education.
  5. 73.9 % of petitions (1 003) were submitted via Parliament's Petitions Web Portal, compared with 70.7 % (863) in 2018.
  6. The Petitions Web Portal was developed into a responsive web design version, made more user-friendly and accessible, and integrated further with ePetition.
  7. Parliament regrets that petitioners are not sufficiently informed about the grounds for inadmissibility and calls for information campaigns on the EU's competences and the right to petition.
  8. Parliament calls for a more active press and communications service and social media presence, and for outreach events targeting journalists and the media.
  9. Parliament asks the Commission to improve its handling of petitions, to submit accurate answers within the three-month deadline, and to ensure transparency and access to documents on EU Pilot and infringement procedures.
  10. Parliament says the Commission should not leave the responsibility to act on the petitioner alone and must check whether national authorities are solving the problem and intervene if they are not.
  11. Parliament calls on the Commission to propose a recast of Regulation 1049/2001 to enhance transparency and accountability, and on the Council to implement greater transparency.
  12. Parliament calls for swift legal reforms on transparency of EU decision-making, conflicts of interest and ethical issues, and for a new EU strategy on animal welfare.

Who is affected

  • EU citizens and residents who submit petitions, who should receive replies in their own language and clearer information on admissibility.
  • The Commission, which is asked to answer petitions faster, within three months, and to check national authorities' action.
  • The Council, which is urged to hold fewer closed-door discussions and to publish more meetings and documents.
  • Persons with disabilities, for whom the committee seeks better accessibility of the Petitions Web Portal and inclusive education.
  • EU citizens affected by Brexit, whose rights the committee monitored in petitions during 2019.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 357 petitions received in 2019, an increase of 11.23 % on the 1 220 petitions submitted in 2018.
  • 28 075 users supported one or more petitions on the Petitions Web Portal in 2019; 31 679 clicks in support.
  • Of the petitions submitted in 2019, 41 were co-signed by one or more citizens, 8 by more than 100 citizens and 3 by more than 10 000 citizens.
  • Of the 1 357 petitions, 938 were declared admissible, 406 inadmissible and 13 withdrawn; 30 % were inadmissible.
  • 73.9 % of petitions (1 003) were submitted via the Petitions Web Portal in 2019, compared with 70.7 % (863) in 2018.
  • In 2019 the committee held 9 ordinary meetings, discussed 250 petitions with 239 petitioners present, and 126 petitioners took the floor.
  • In 2019, 65 petitions were sent to other committees for opinion and 351 for information; 38 opinions and 9 acknowledgements were received.
  • In 2018, 47 petitions were sent to other committees for opinion and 660 for information; 30 opinions and 38 acknowledgements were received.

Legal basis: Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union, and Articles 24, 227 and 228 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.