Thread by @jonworth

So, looking beyond the short term crises of the EU...

And if von der Leyen ever gets a Commission team agreed by the European Parliament...

... then in 2020 a "Conference on the Future of Europe" ought to start

As following Valéry Giscard d'Estaing chaired Convention on the Future of Europe was one of my main tasks when in the Exec Bureau of @JEF_Europe 2002-2003, I have an interest in it this time too 😜

Considering this reform process *might* pave the way for reform of the EU's treaties (i.e. pretty major) we actually know pretty little about the process currently

It's mentioned in von der Leyen's political guidelines - PDF, P. 19 ec.europa.eu/commission/sit…

There's a little more in vdL's letter to @dubravkasuica who's the Commissioner designate for this area (although giving this to a Croat HDZ (EPP) MEP worries me a little from the start) - PDF P. 4-5 ec.europa.eu/commission/sit…

There is also the Brussels rumour, sort of alluded to in the vdL guidelines (and part of the deal to get her nominated), that ex-President of Renew Europe Guy Verhofstadt would chair this thing.

He's not exactly to everyone's taste as someone to lead this..!

But beyond that we know pretty little...

❓What is the scope?
❓What institutions will participate?
❓Role for regions / sub national entities?
❓Consultation with NGOs and civil society organisations?

❓How can citizens directly participate?
❓Digital participation?
❓Any of the sortition / citizens' assembly ideas in?

Once (if?) Brexit calms down a bit I will have a go trying to answer these questions on my blog!

/ends