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Signature drive launched to curb the EU's drift
The Save Europe Act platform is calling for 21,600 signatures a day to make the EU respect national identities. A citizen movement or wishful thinking?
A signature campaign aims to force Brussels to preserve national identities
Amid institutional turmoil, a new initiative has emerged seeking to gather 21,600 signatures a day – according to its promoters' calculations – to demand that the European Commission respect Article 4.2 of the EU Treaty and guarantee the protection of indigenous peoples against the loss of sovereignty. The Save Europe Act platform, launched this week, is already showing a signature rate its organisers describe as "brutal": 150 signatures every 10 minutes, which adds up to the aforementioned daily figure if the pace holds.
How the collection works and its first hurdles
The process is simple: all it takes to sign the manifesto, which invokes the "inalienable right to preserve the collective identity, heritage and way of life" of Europe's ethnic and cultural communities, is an email address and a name – even a fake one. However, some users report technical problems that prevent them from completing the signature, with no clear explanation from the system. The organisers recommend trying again later or sharing the link to keep up the momentum.
The deeper debate: signatures or real action?
While optimists believe citizen pressure can force a shift in EU policy, a sceptical current argues that without uranium or plutonium – a reference to energy and military dependence – petitions are just wet paper. Another group antiestéticars the initiative could be infiltrated by those seeking to close borders to immigrants. The clash reflects the fragmentation of pro-European thinking.
The country ranking by signatures places Spain in a modest position, and the most active users wonder whether they can climb to first place through coordination between communities. For now, the campaign continues, and in a few days it will be clear whether the initial pace holds or fades.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication.
Read the full discussion (32 replies).
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