An initiative is underway by MEPs and civic groups to make Europe Day on May 9 a public holiday EU wide.
 
May 9 marks the anniversary when the European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor to the European Union, was first proposed by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in 1950.
 
While Europe Day already exists, the date has never been recognised as a public holiday, but MEPs are hoping to change that, believing that the move would boost European sentiment across member states.
Spanish Liberal MEP Maite Pagazaurtunda who is among those campaigning for the change said it would probably be passed this month.
 
“It seems there is clear support from several parliamentary groups such as the Greens, the Socialists and ALDE. Having 9 May as a public holiday is not for the sake of holidays but so that we can show our unity and fight for our values,” said Ivan Jakovčić, a Croatian liberal MEP, during an event held at the European Parliament earlier this week.
 
The initiative, originally promoted by the Spanish association Europeanists, is being led by several MEPs including Pagazaurtundua and Florent Marcellesi, a Spanish Green deputy.
 
The EU assembly’s Constitutional Affairs committee has voted in favour of asking governments to agree to the proposal.
 
A group of supporters of the initiative, including José Francisco Sigüenza, president of Europeanists, and Simona Guerra, professor of political science at the University of Leicester, along with the two MEPs, presented the European Day manifesto to the press.
 
“It’s not the institutions that create the EU, but the people who shape the institutions and the EU. The narrative has to shift from fear and negative feeling to a positive perspective: what kind of emotions can we share to build Europe?” asked Guerra.
 
Ireland’s Fine Gael TD Noel Rock is among those to support the move, and called on the Government and the European People’s Party, of which Fine Gael is a member, to back it.
 
“As proud members of the EU, I believe it is right for Ireland to recognise this day as a public holiday,” he said.
 
“I believe Europe Day could be used to encourage the Irish public to learn and understand the institutions of the EU, which they ultimately shape.”