ABSTRACT
The 1992 Treaty on European Union (TEU) laid the foundations for a European civil society by introducing the institution of EU citizenship as a supplement to national citizenship. EU nationals have the rights of free movement and residence (Article 8a); the right to vote and to stand for election in the European Parliament and municipal elections in the member states of their residence (Article 8b); the right to protection by diplomatic and consular authorities of any member state in a third country where the citizen’s own member state is not represented (Article 8~); the right to access non-judicial means of redress through the Ombudsperson and through petitions to the EP (Article 8d).
