The Council endorsed on 14 December the agreement reached within the EU trilogue with the European Parliament and the Commission on a draft regulation aimed at making it possible for EU citizens to call for legislative proposals to be made on a specific issue. The compromise is expected to be approved in first reading by European Parliament on 15 December.

The agreement between institutions on the draft Regulation regulating implementation measures and conditions regarding the citizen's initiative was reached on 30 November. It particularly lays down that a a proposed initiative must fall within an area of EU competence and be consistent with the Union's values.

The required "significant number" of member states which was at stake during negotiations between institutions is defined as at least one quarter of EU members, and a key is established for calculating the number of supporters necessary from each member state. Support for a proposed initiative can be expressed in either paper form or electronically, and the draft regulation contains provisions on the verification of signatures and in order to prevent potential abuses.

European Parliament is now expected to approve the agreed text in first reading on 15 December, and Council will then adopt the regulation without further discussion once the agreed text has been finalised. The regulation will be applicable one year after entry into force in order to allow member states and the Commission to take the necessary measures to implement it.