Eurosceptics launch 'democracy bus'
Eurosceptic MEPs on Friday (24 March) launched a ‘battle for democracy’ bus in Brussels.
The Independence/Democracy group in the European Parliament intend that the bus follows European commissioners around the 25 member states as they promote Brussels’ so-called Plan D campaign.
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The commission launched Plan D last year to promote democracy, dialogue and debate between European citizens.
It was a direct response to French and Dutch voters rejection of the EU constitution in referendums in the early summer.
"This bus will dog the steps of the Commission as it jets around Europe pretending that all is well and the constitution is on track," said British MEP Nigel Farage, co-president of the group.
"The EU commission Plan D tour now has serious competition, [communications commissioner] Margot Wallstrom will be seeing a lot of the bus during the course of the year," added Mr Farage.
Eurosceptics insist that although there is supposed to be a dialogue with citizens, their opinions and views are hardly ever included.
The tour by the Independence/Democracy group is also part of a campaign against the ratification of the constitution; the group argues that Europe should not ignore the democratic votes of France and the Netherlands.
"The EU constitution is fundamentally anti-democratic and the objective of our tour is to provide the other side of the argument," concluded Mr Farage.