Life after the Eci? Campaigns in the Afterlife

The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) has introduced a new set of actors, topics and campaigning methods to EU politics, ranging from direct democracy activists to social movements and interest groups based in the member states.  Since the measure was introduced in April 2012 around 50 campaigns have been introduced, of which 20 application to register an official ECI have been refused.  The 20 refused registrations comprise a mixed variety of campaigns, and which can be divided between Campaign Committees (CCs) discontent with their refusal, and those content to let matters rest after making a point or experimenting with procedures.  Much is known about many of the first of these categories in that they have initiated proceedings before the Court of Justice or introduced adapted ECIs, while the second group of campaigners have largely dissolved from view.   A more fruitful line of enquiry as to the ability of the ECI to expand public discourse on the EU centres on the 30 or so CCs which succeeded in registering an initiative, through identifying what happens to campaigns after running the course or exit.  Among the measures withdrawn are campaigns which had no intent to run the full course, as well as those who ran out of resources and/or will to continue.  Among ECIs to have run their course are those for whom the primary purpose lay in positioning and/or developmental factors, as well as campaigners in search of a means to develop their advocacy.