On 1 June 2012, the European Commission has validated the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “Let me Vote!”. This ECI proposes that European citizens who reside in a member state of which they do not have the nationality should be granted the right to vote in national elections of that member state.

For the promoters of the ECI, these rights would:
– Confirm the common values proclaimed by the Treaty and by the Charter of Fundamental Rights at a crucial moment of European integration;
– Encourage the inclusion of citizens in their country of residence, in accordance with its European commitments;
– Overcome existing difficulties to take part in their country of origin elections, such as the cost of travel or the exclusion from electoral rolls after a certain period of time.

The goal of the initiative is to develop the political dimension of the European project by reinforcing citizens’ awareness that they share a common destiny. According to the ECI’s organisers, the granting of these rights would enhance the concept of European Citizenship and facilitate freedom of movement within the EU. In addition, it could contribute to remedying the loss of voting rights presently experienced by a significant number of EU citizens who are long-term residents of other member states.

The ECI now needs to collect 1 million signatures across seven or more EU member states. If successful, the organisers will be invited to a public hearing in the European Parliament and the Commission has to respond to the initiative.