The Commission has registered the European Citizens’ Initiative calling for an unconditional basic income

On 7 July, the European Commission registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Introduction of an unconditional basic income (UBI) across the EU’.

The organisers of the initiative believe that,“with rapid advances in artificial intelligence and robotics, there is an urgent need to decouple our livelihoods from our ability to sell our labour, as we will soon find ourselves in a situation where there will not be enough jobs for us”. The organisers are therefore calling on the European Commission to “take all necessary and legal measures that may contribute to the introduction of an Universal Basic Income (UBI) in EU Member States, and to issue a recommendation that Member States work towards its implementation”.

As this initiative meets the formal conditions set out in the relevant legislation, the Commission considers it legally admissible under the Regulation on the European Citizens’ Initiative. The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals at this stage. Registration does not prejudge the Commission’s final decision on the admissibility of the initiative or any measures it may take. The Commission will only take a decision on the initiative if it meets the relevant criteria, including the collection of at least one million valid signatures from EU citizens.

Next steps

Following registration on the 7th of july, the organisers have six months to begin the twelve-month period for collecting signatures. If a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) receives at least one million valid statements of support during that time, with minimum thresholds met in at least seven Member States, the Commission must respond and decide what action, if any, it will take in response to the initiative, giving reasons for its decision.

Background

The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon as a means for citizens to set the agenda. It was officially launched in April 2012. Once formally registered, a European Citizens’ Initiative allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to call on the Commission to propose legislative acts in areas within its remit. The conditions for admissibility are: (1) that the proposed action does not fall manifestly outside the scope of the Commission’s powers to submit a legislative proposal; (2) it must not be manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious; and (3) it must not be manifestly contrary to the values of the Union.

Since the launch of the European Citizens’ Initiative, the Commission has registered 132 initiatives.

The content of the initiative reflects only the views of the organisers and should not be interpreted in any way as reflecting the views of the Commission.

 

More information: European Commission