On September 10, the European Commission has refused the registration of the Citizens' Initiative "Stop TTIP". The Commission argues that the initiative "falls outside the (...) Commission’s powers” as defined by the Treaties and that it, therefore, cannot be registered.
Sven Giegold, Green MEP and member of the EP’s ECON Committee, says that with this decision, the Commission “tramples all over European democracy”. He further reprimands the Commission for resorting once again to “backroom deals hidden from the influence of citizens”.
Giegold asks Juncker to “correct” this decision, as the president-elect was the one to promise more citizen participation in his campaign.
“It’s only now that the battle starts for real,” was the reaction of Michael Efler, the contact person for the initiative “Stop TTIP”. Giegold welcomes this statement declaring that “The European citizens’ initiative may not be undermined by tricks and dodges. On the contrary, it deserves further development into a true European citizens’ referendum.”
The alliance behind “Stop TTIP” is now considering taking legal steps and bringing the case before the General Court, as mentioned in the Commission's reply stating the reasons for refusal of registration.