The proposals covered different areas such as the environment, health, education, migration, the economy, culture, democracy and rule of law amongst others.

The Parliament’s delegation of MEPs highlighted the important role that the Parliament played in the run-up to the conference, for example by guaranteeing that citizens’ input would remain at the centre of the deliberations throughout the process.

Speakers from five of Parliament’s major political groups, including the EPP, Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe, Greens and the Left, agreed that the draft proposals are a major political achievement.

MEPs representing the right-wing Identity and Democracy and European Conservatives and Reformists groups argued that the proposals do not reflect public opinion in the EU and stated that their groups would not support them.

The proposals were presented by the Chairs of the Working Groups and the citizen spokespersons at a meeting on Friday, during which the majority of those present agreed that the proposals compromise important reforms based on citizens’ recommendations.

On Saturday, citizens took the floor to comment on the final proposals and the process that led to them, strongly approving of both. They highlighted that they are now expecting the EU institutions and member states to ensure the appropriate follow-up and the importance of not letting citizens down in the aftermath of this historic moment.

They also commented on how their idea evolved through the Conference’s debates and the impact that Russia’s war in Ukraine had on them, as well as on how they realised the importance of standing up for their ideas while preparing the proposals. 

This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author’s view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

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