There is no Europe without citizens, says Jobbik MEP

Remarks from Jobbik MEP Márton Gyöngyösi:

Ever since their establishment, EU institutions have often been subjects of many disputes about how overcomplicated and non-transparent the community and the operation of its organizations are for the people of Europe. These cumbersome processes, which are often formed by agreements between member states, simply alienate the EU from its own citizens. As a simple voter interested in politics, then as an MP of the Hungarian Parliament and now as a MEP, I have often had to come to the conclusion that many European citizens, despite all the colourful advertisements, campaigns and events, do not understand the European Union and, as a result, they can’t fully identify with it, which may have a long-term devastating effect on the EU – as we should already have understood from the rise of anti-Europe and populist politicians by now.

That’s why I was so disappointed by the European Commission’s rejection of the Minority SafePack citizens’ initiative. In an earlier post, I have already explained how important and worthy goals the initiators set with regard to the rights of European native ethnic minorities, in my opinion. It’s an utter shame these goals cannot be accomplished now. However, there is an even bigger shame: the damage to European democracy and European civil organizations.

Here’s the bottom-line message of the EC’s decision: you can organize yourselves all you want, you can write petitions all you want, you can even convince the EP, it won’t matter. What matters is what we decide behind closed doors.

Why do I use such grave words? I believe the Minority SafePack had a stronger legitimacy than any other initiative before. As you may remember, the European Commission refused to allow the collection of signatures at first, claiming a lack of competency in the matter. However, the organizers turned to the European Court, which decided that the matter did fall within the EC’s competency, so it cannot reject the collection of signatures. After that, the organizers collected 1.3 million statements of support from the citizens of seven EU member states. Since I have already launched a European Citizens’ Initiative before, I am fully aware what an enormous logistical effort and perseverance you need to succeed in such an undertaking. After a convincing support by citizens, the issue was referred to the European body with the highest legitimacy, i.e., the European Parliament, which voted for it with a vast majority.