Citizens chance to sway commission

YOUR columnist Terry Prone (April 21) correctly highlights the citizens’ initiative as an interesting aspect of the Lisbon treaty.

If passed, the treaty will require the European Commission to consider proposals from citizens backed by a petition from one million people from a significant number of European countries.

While the commission won’t be forced to accept such proposals, it creates a means for concerns which are not on the radar of the main European parties or national governments, but have considerable support, to be put on the agenda.