ABSTRACT
The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) stands out as an innovative venture in European democracy, with the European Parliament (EP) playing a pivotal role in its realisation. The aim of this chapter is to explore this role from several perspectives. First, taking into account the EP’s historical emphasis on representative democracy, this study analyses the EP’s support for CoFoE as a strategic shift towards fostering direct citizen involvement in EU policy-making, while (potentially) bolstering its own institutional influence. Second, the study investigates the EP’s agenda, priorities, and proposals for EU democratic reform within the CoFoE framework, assessing its tangible outcomes. Finally, the chapter delves into the EP’s strategy for citizen engagement during the CoFoE, exploring the role of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as intermediators between citizens and the European Union (EU). The analysis concludes by discussing the broader implications of the CoFoE experience for the future of EU democracy. Drawing insights from CoFoE recommendations, EP policy positions, and interviews, the study contributes substantively to the discourse on the EP’s evolving role as an institutional entrepreneur in the trajectory of EU democratisation.
