More details on the 'plan D' were given in two documents presented by Margot Wallström to the special seminar held by the Commission on 20 September. The vice-president and communication commissioner does not see her plan D as a "rescue operation for the Constitution" but as a starting point for a "wider debate on the relationship between the EU's democratic institutions and citizens. It should be an "exercise that must run throughout the lifetime of the Commission and beyond". The debate should "create a new consensus on the European project".
Commissioner Wallström wants the member states to set up national debates around a series of topics that cut across different policy areas. She gives the examples of Europe's economic and social development, freedom of movement and security, Europe's borders or its values. To promote the debate she makes several specific proposals:
- regular visits of the Commission president and vice-president to the member states, accompanied by the country's commissioner or others when appropriate;
- a European Round Table for Democracy, consisting of NGOs and other civil society actors to "discuss the precise nature of 'democratic infrastructure' to be established throughout Europe";
- the use of European goodwill ambassadors at regional events;
- more citizens' involvement in policy-making by committing to discuss a policy area when one million citizens from a significant number of member states ask for it;
- a European citizens' panel to discuss specific policy areas with the intention of providing input for a European panel making recommendations on policy;
- increase voter participation in European elections and referenda;
- Commissioners should explain policy developments in national parliaments;
- use of a specific Eurobarometer on the future of Europe;
- use of state-of-the-art internet techology to foster debates;
- member states to use focus groups on specific European themes.
The Plan D comes two months after Mrs Wallström's action plan to professionalise the Commission's internal communication skills (see EurActiv 22 July 2005). It will be followed by a White Paper on Communication including proposals to improve communication with external EU actors (press, lobby groups, governments, NGOs) at the end of the year.
Challenges:
- It is doubtful if member state governments can really be persuaded to organise and lead national debates on EU policies. The Convention on the future of Europe certainly failed to do so. On the other hand, there are examples of national debates which really worked. The Irish National Forum on Europe seems to be a model for Commissioner Wallström.
- Some of the proposals are quite vague and need more clarification. What will be the exact role of the Round Table for Democracy and how will the policy-oriented European citizens' panel link in with the institutionalised stakeholder consultations and the role of the Parliament and/or ECOSOC (the Economic and Social Council).
- Is there full internal support within the Commission for Mrs Wallström's ideas?
