Who can submit a citizens' petition? What topics can a citizens' petition cover? What about data protection? How do you submit an application to the Citizens' Forum?
The right to petition in accordance with Section 24 of the NRW Municipal Code, which is modeled on the Basic Law, gives every resident of the City of Aachen who has lived in the city for at least three months the right to submit suggestions and complaints. This means that employees and elected officials of the municipality can also expressly submit a citizens' petition subject to certain restrictions.
You are also entitled to petition in association with others. In addition to natural persons, legal entities under private law such as associations with legal capacity, limited liability companies and public limited companies (provided they are not controlled by legal entities under public law) also have the right to petition.
A citizens' petition can be submitted on all matters for which the Council and the district councils of the City of Aachen are responsible. In terms of content, the written presentation of a specific request stating the facts of the case is required.
However, a citizens' petition can only address matters that are the responsibility of the City of Aachen. This excludes matters that concern the federal or state level as well as those that fall under the jurisdiction of the StädteRegion Aachen. Formal administrative procedures, applications, appeals against administrative acts or complaints about official supervision are also not to be regarded as matters for citizens' applications. An application that would interfere with pending court proceedings or the review of a judicial decision must also be rejected.
In your citizens' application, all necessary anonymization of personal data will be carried out in compliance with data protection regulations. This text version of your application, together with the administration's statement and all necessary documents relating to public committee meetings, will be uploaded to the City of Aachen's council information system and can be accessed by all Internet users. The meetings of the political bodies dealing with your citizens' application are generally held in public, so that details that become known during the deliberations can be included in the press coverage.
A citizens' application can be submitted informally to the Citizens' Forum by e-mail, post or via our online form, subject to the written form requirement.
You are welcome to contact the Citizens' Forum office in advance for advice. We will be happy to help you!