Every day, citizens from all across the EU and the wider world address the European Parliament to request information, express opinions or suggest ideas on an extensive range of topics. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP) provides answers to citizens on the issues they raise. In 2018, citizens put more than 30 000 questions, suggestions and comments to the European Parliament or its President.
Topics of the year
The European Commission’s plans to end seasonal clock changes in the European Union (EU) generated a significant share of mail from citizens in 2018. The European Parliament and Council considered the legislative proposal, which would allow EU countries to decide whether their citizens would live in winter or summer time.
We also received a large number of messages ahead of the European Parliament vote on its position on a legislative proposal updating the copyright directive in September 2018. The proposal was hotly debated, with some arguing that the measures would ensure fair remuneration for journalists and publishers, and others highlighting the risks of filtering and control of the internet.
The environment was also a topic of great interest for citizens, particularly single-use plastics, which are a source of marine litter. To tackle the issue, the European Commission has proposed to ban or restrict certain plastic items commonly found on European beaches. The European Parliament has ensured that the legislation adopted is more ambitious than the initial proposal.
Two individual cases have also generated reactions from citizens: the early termination of the office of Richard Czarnecki, a Vice-President of the European Parliament, and the legal battle regarding Alfie Evans, a toddler who suffered from a neurological degenerative condition.
Frequent themes
The functioning and activities of the European Parliament continued to be, as in previous years, a topic of interest. Many citizens wanted to know about the activities of Members of the European Parliament and how to contact them, as well as how to exercise their right of petition, how to visit the institution, and how to apply for a job or a traineeship in the EU institutions. Citizens also wrote to the European Parliament to comment on and ask questions about the Brexit process.
Civil liberties, justice and home affairs was an important area of interest for citizens addressing the Ask EP unit. Reactions related mainly to the political situation in Catalonia and the visit of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to the European Parliament in May 2018. Citizens also wrote to the European Parliament to comment and ask questions on migration and refugee policies, and to comment and request action on the political situation in some EU countries.
Citizens also turned to the European Parliament for answers on the political situation outside the EU, for instance in Kosovo, Palestine, Russia, Syria, Turkey and Ukraine.
Another fundamental area of direct concern frequently shared by citizens writing to our service relates to employment and social affairs, in particular pension schemes, employment policy and working conditions. Citizens also contacted the European Parliament for comments and queries on culture and education, in particular free Interrail passes and Erasmus+.
In 2019, continue to put your questions to the Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP)! We reply in the EU language that you use to write to us.
Dear Sirs,
I asked you through the EP Form if Mr. Tajani has the power to vetoe a specific nationality, or names of elected MEPs, and you did not answered me, arguing that “this is a pending case before the General Court”.
I don’t understand your answer because the question is very specific, and it’s either YES or NO. I can tell you that it would be unimaginable that the president of the French, British, Belgium or any other democratic parliament, would decide by his own initiative not allow several of the elected members to attend the parliament’s sessions! Does Mr. Tajani hold that power YES or NO?
Buenas tardes, soy una ciudadana europea y catalana que he votado en las elecciones europeas y deseo saber como es no se ha dejado entrar al parlamento europeo ni recojer las credenciales a diputados europeos votados en España Sr. Carles Puigdemont i Sr. Toni Comin, a diferencia de otros diputados españoles que sí que las recogieron . Porqué esa inexplicable discriminación?
Hello
She has worked as a mother tongue teacher and catechist. I am a contact person in an adoption organization and foster families, adopting children from orphanages. I myself have five grown children. I found myself in a bind because I borrowed money, thinking it would be better, but worse. My husband lost his job and could not find anything for a long time. The debts went up, I also caught up with cheaters, I could not pay, the executions, … I accepted the insolvency because they were blocking the bills, cutting a lot of salaries, so we did not have lost the house, we had hell. I turned to the state to put an end to the actions of cheaters, usurers and smart people. There are advertisements wherever the state will cancel 70% of the debt, we have been able to repay the entire debt in five years, which I documented to the insolvency administrator. The son wanted to take out a mortgage to pay his debts, he was not allowed. Your movable property house and land 3220000, -CZK, usual price 3600000, -CZK, according to the appraiser (STATIKUM), according to the reality of 2600000, -CZK. All properties were auctioned, resulting in more reward debts. 1.10. they took us all out of the house. A girl with two young children, an autistic child (4 and 6 years old), another girl with children (2 and 12 years old) and a son lived with us. I was hoping for a human court approach. The receivables are mainly interest, fines, fees, expenses, … The contracts were signed in distress and in a hurry. The insolvency administrator has been informed of me. I did not use the right to refuse claims because the insolvency administrator told me that I should hire a lawyer and be tried myself, which is probably impossible without money. I do not drink, do not smoke, do not play slot machines, I am a modest, good and hardworking woman, I have helped others all my life. I contacted most of the billionaires here and the foundation, but no one helped me. I was promised a grant from abroad, which did not stop the auction. Would not there really be a human approach to the courts? In October 2018, the insolvency trustee had applied for my retirement indemnity, but a large part of my salary had been shredded. Could one sell only one memory, for example a son for an estimate? We lost the roof over our head, work, we have not returned the rest of the money so far. I would never have chosen insolvency, it is another diversion for money and human dignity. If such an approach is the law, then the law is wrong.
Hrdličková Zdeňka
Hello, I am one of the 1.025.411 European citizens that voted Mr. Puigdemont and I would like to know why Mr. Puigdemont and other catalan politicians that I voted are being discriminating in EU parliament? Is my vote going to be not considered or has less value tan others? why? I am EU citizen as anyone else and I have the same rights than others. I request an explanation to understand such strange situation.
Hello, I am one of the 1.025.411 European citizens that voted Mr. Puigdemont and I would like to know why Mr. Puigdemont and other catalan politicians that I voted are being discriminating in EU parliament? Is my vote going to be not considered or has less value tan others? why? I am EU citizen as anyone else and I have the same rights than others. I request an explanation to understand such strange situation.
Buenas tardes.
Como ciudadano europeo deseo información de porque a Carles Puigdemont Casamajó y Antoni Comí Oliveres, ciudadanos europeos, libres y electos con más de 1.000.000 de votos por ciudadanos europeos dl estado español, se les ha impedido el acceso al Parlamento Europeo y han sido tratados de manera distinta a otros políticos elegidos del resto de países representados en el Parlamento Europeo.
Gracias!
I am a catalan citizen, I would like to know what’s happening with MP Puigdemont and Comin, which I have voted. Why are you discriminating them? That’s not fair, because They are catalan citizen without ANY penal delict.
Hello, I am catalán citizen and I would like to know why Mr. Puigdemont and other catalan politicians that I voted are being discriminating in EU parliament? Is my vote going to be not considered or has less value tan others? why? I am EU citizen as anyone else and I have the same rights than others. I request an explanation to understand such strange situation.
why Mr Puigdemont and Mr. Comin can not be credited as MEPs? They have been presented to the elections because they have the right to come forward, have won, represent citizens who voted for them. The right of citizens to be represented can not be suspended. The rights of citizenship, specifically Catalan, must be guaranteed. What guarantee do we have citizens that we are respected for their rights? Is the principle of democracy followed in the European Union? of representation of the voters? Why are bureaucratic bumps getting accredited?
Un milió de ciutadans europeus hem votat Puigdemont i Comín, quin és el problema que esteu creant?
I am a catalan citizen, I would like to know what’s happening with MP Puigdemont and Comin, which I have voted. Why are you discriminating them? That’s not fair, because They are catalan citizen without ANY penal delict.
Why can not my representatives in the European Parliament, Carles Puigdemont and Toni Comín represent me?
Why can not my representatives in the European Parliament, Carles Puigdemont and Toni Comín represent me?
What do I have to do to be able to vote and not be beaten and despised?
Dear Sir/ Madam;
I’m asking? shame on humanity ! what will be done against military coups
What did we do for Muhammet mursi Egypt President
We are worried about the life of the Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi.
Contact the European Parliament Muhammad Mursi.
Mohammed Mursi should be taken under the democratic and human rights guarantees.
BC-13602 as a member of the European Union press federation.
As a Turkish diplomat, I ask from the European Parliament.
Please Be Sensitive.
We must do what is necessary before humanity is too late.
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