The European Commission has officially registered a new European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) titled “European Public Social Network”. The proposal calls on the Commission to create a public social media platform at the European level through legislation. Organisers now have six months to start collecting signatures, after which they will have 12 months to gather support.
If the initiative reaches at least one million signatures from EU citizens, with minimum thresholds met in at least seven EU Member States, the Commission must formally respond. It will then decide whether to take action, such as proposing legislation, and must explain its reasoning.
According to the organisers, the platform would serve as an alternative to existing private social networks. It would be funded by society, overseen by the public, and designed to remain impartial and independent from political pressure, while guaranteeing the rights of all users without discrimination. Registration simply allows the organisers to begin gathering support.
About the European Citizen’s initiative
Introduced by the Lisbon Treaty and launched in 2012, the ECI gives EU citizens a direct way to influence the EU agenda. If the required number of signatures is collected, citizens can invite the European Commission to propose legislation in areas where it has authority.
To be registered, an initiative must:
- Fall within the Commission’s power to propose laws
- Not be abusive or frivolous
- Not contradict the fundamental values of the European Union
Since the system began, the Commission has registered 128 initiatives. While registration allows the campaign to proceed, the views expressed belong solely to the organisers and do not represent the official position of the Commission.
The initiative now moves to the public signature-collection phase, where citizens across Europe will decide whether the idea of a European public social network gains enough support to reach the next stage. 🌍💬
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