The future of Europe is built on the shoulders of the communities – more focus on the lowest political level is required
Vienna (OTS) – On June 9th, voters will decide the future of Europe. Austria will send 20 of 720 MPs to the next EU Parliament. Since EU legislation has a direct impact on communities and the people living in communities in many areas, the Austrian Association of Municipalities calls for greater consideration of community concerns in a future Europe. A European manifesto was also decided upon at a presidium meeting of the Austrian Association of Municipalities in Brussels. “Without strong and self-confident communities at the grassroots level, there is no united, strong Europe. “We are therefore calling for a local commissioner for the European municipalities and cities in the next term of office,” said Municipal Association President Johannes Pressl. “We are not concerned with the complicated funding and EU regional programs, as are currently being pursued by the General Directorate for Regional Policy and Urban Development, but rather with reducing bureaucracy at the local level, with “RURAL PROOFING” of legal matters and simplifications Awarding contracts to local companies. Furthermore, critical supply infrastructure for people – for example sewers, drinking water or fiber optics – must not be subject to EU competition law in the current form. EU environmental legislation also needs more common sense when applied in rural communities,” says Pressl.
“In the future, local democracy, which we have always implemented in the communities, must again be given more importance across Europe. Theorists – including at the EU level – always talk about more grassroots democracy and citizen involvement, but communities have always been the basis of European democracy. Even outside of elections, mayors are available to answer questions from their local people on a daily basis,” explains Pressl. And he is certain: “Not only the municipalities benefit from a future municipal commissioner, but also Europe. If around 85,000 municipalities feel more recognized by Europe, then 85,000 municipalities, 85,000 mayors and perhaps one day 85,000 European local councilors will carry the message and values of Europe to the people in their communities.”
In the demand paper, which was adopted during the visit of the EU Presidency country Belgium on May 16th, the association of municipalities summarized the most important positions and wishes for the European institutions. In the next step, the association of municipalities will pass on the suggestions to the national representatives and will also seek contact with the sister associations in the other EU member states on the question of a “municipal commissioner”. Details about the demands of the community association can be found here www.gemeindebund.at
Information about the Austrian Association of Municipalities:
Since 1947, the Austrian Association of Municipalities has represented the local interests of 2,082 of the 2,093 Austrian municipalities and cities at the federal level and thus represents a total of around 70 percent of the Austrian population.
Questions & Contact:
Austrian Association of Municipalities
Andreas Steiner, BA MA
Press spokesman
Car: 0664/8238476 Tel.: 01/5121480-18
andreas.steiner@gemeindebund.gv.at
www.gemeindebund.at