ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the development of "special rights policy" as it emerged within a political opportunity structure of limited resources and broadly defined policy objectives which provided more informal than formal resources of the acquis communautaire. The recommendations for the working party on special rights included the examination of strategic guidelines for policy making such as the granting of voting rights and eligibility for election at municipal level, and the right of access to public office dependent on election at this level. In order to proceed with the process of defining special rights policy, the European Parliament organized a Round Table on Special Rights and a Charter of the Rights of the Citizens of the European Community. Policy objectives were geared towards the creation of identity and belonging based on citizens' participation in everyday community matters. While the context did not favor major political innovations, it still provided grounds for a step-by-step mode of policy making.
