EU studies citizens' water campaign in democracy drive

Stephen Tindale, an analyst at an EU-focused think-tank, the CER, said the ECI mechanism was a useful way to put an issue on the EU's agenda. ..."It requires the Commission to meet groups, consider the issue and give a response, but it won't necessarily lead to a change in policy," Mr Tindale told the BBC.

...He said Right2Water's desire to exempt water supplies from liberalisation "won't go anywhere, because the Commission regards it as its primary function to promote the single market".

...Ordinary EU citizens can also raise issues directly with the European Parliament through petitions, but Mr Tindale said ECIs could have a bigger impact on the EU agenda. "Just having a debate in the European Parliament doesn't achieve much, but getting something considered by the Commission has potential," he said.