(1)

Article 3(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788 provides that one of the conditions of validity of an initiative is that in at least one quarter of Member States, the number of signatories is at least equal to the minimum number of citizens set out in Annex I, at the time of registration of the proposed citizens’ initiative. These minimum numbers correspond to the number of the Members of the European Parliament elected in each Member State, multiplied by the total number of Members of the European Parliament.

(2)

On 29 March 2017, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the ‘United Kingdom’) submitted the notification of its intention to withdraw from the Union pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.

(3)

On 28 June 2018 the European Council adopted Decision (EU) 2018/937 establishing the composition of the European Parliament (2). That Decision, which entered into force on 3 July 2018, sets out the number of representatives in the European Parliament elected in each Member State for the 2019-2024 parliamentary term, which begins on 2 July 2019.

(4)

On 22 March 2019, by Decision (EU) 2019/476 (3), the European Council in agreement with the United Kingdom decided to extend the period under Article 50(3) TEU until 22 May 2019 in the event that the House of Commons approved the Withdrawal Agreement by 29 March 2019, or, if that were not to be the case, until 12 April 2019. The House of Commons did not approve the Withdrawal Agreement by 29 March 2019. On 11 April 2019, by Decision (EU) 2019/584 (4) the European Council, in agreement with the United Kingdom, decided to further extend that period until 31 October 2019.

(5)

In order to mirror the rules contained in Decision (EU) 2018/937 with regard to the minimum number of signatories set out in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/788, it is appropriate to replace Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/788. That amendment should apply from the date at which Regulation (EU) 2019/788 becomes applicable, that is to say, on 1 January 2020. However, should the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union take place after that date, the amendment would become applicable after the withdrawal.

(6)

Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/788 should therefore be replaced,