For increased democracy, pluralism and transparency in the European Parliament

Public appeal for increased democracy, pluralism and transparency in the European Parliament functioning

We, the undersigned, members of the European Parliament and of civil society organisations, concerned citizens, express our concern about the ongoing process of revision of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament.

This process goes well beyond a technical dimension, having enormous political implications.

The proposals under discussion, if approved, would severely undermine the democracy, pluralism and transparency in the European Parliament. In practical terms, these proposals would severely restrict the intervention of the elected members of the European Parliament – for instance, in terms of submitting amendments to reports and opinions, questions submitted to other institutions, written declarations, resolutions, explanations of vote and participation in the specialised committees; they would lead to an even higher concentration of power in the bigger political groups, reducing the possibilities of intervention of smaller groups and thereby reducing pluralism; they would diminish the mechanisms of democratic control and scrutiny of the legislative process, thereby undermining its transparency – namely by imposing “fast-track” procedures or by reducing the possibilities to request “roll call votes”, among other examples.

It is still time to stop and reflect. It is still time to prevent unwise decisions that would inevitably contribute to deepen the gap between citizens and the EU institutions.

To conclude a process of this magnitude, with huge implications, during the ongoing discussion about the Brexit, would be not only unwise but irresponsible.

Elected members of the European Parliament are people’s representatives, and not any sort of decorative furniture. To mute their voices means to mute people's voices. This would not be acceptable in any circumstance.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, publicly appeal to the suspension of the ongoing process of revision of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament and call for an indispensable moratorium allowing for a clarification of all the implications of the Brexit process, at the level of European Parliament functioning, and a deeper reflection on the proper way to proceed in order to assure better democracy, pluralism and transparency.