Abstract

AbstractA key feature of the very idea of Union citizenship which, as a political scientist, I find can be lost in the predominantly legal analysis of this topic, is the reliance of citizenship rights, including those associated with Union citizenship, on politics in general and the state – in this case the member states – in particular. It is this political context that makes voting rights such an essential part of citizenship, yet one, given the complexities and peculiarities of the EU’s political system, that raises a number of difficulties in the European context. The Initiative raises a key issue but proposes a misguided solution, at odds with the very nature of the EU. For it overlooks how Union citizenship necessarily presupposes member state citizenship.

Highlights

  • This Initiative is to be welcomed if only for opening up the debate and prompting the discussion here – which I have found most instructive. This is an important issue that - with certain honourable exceptions, among them the earlier participants in this useful dialogue - has hitherto not received much academic or political attention, yet resonates with many EU citizens

  • To give just one anecdotal example, last year UCL conducted two focus groups among EU citizens from other member states resident in London and the issue of national voting rights proved to be of far more concern to them than votes for the European Parliament

  • Though not a scientific survey, it expresses in certain respects a key feature of the very idea of Union citizenship which, as a political scientist, I find can be lost in the predominantly legal analysis of this topic: namely, the reliance of citizenship rights, including those associated with Union citizenship, on politics in general and the state – in this case the member states – in particular

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Summary

Introduction

This Initiative is to be welcomed if only for opening up the debate and prompting the discussion here – which I have found most instructive. To give just one anecdotal example, last year UCL conducted two focus groups among EU citizens from other member states resident in London and the issue of national voting rights proved to be of far more concern to them than votes for the European Parliament.

Results
Conclusion

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