Article 4 Extension of time limits for the examination of valid initiatives

Notwithstanding Articles 14(2) and 15(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788, where the Commission or the European Parliament have encountered difficulties after 11 March 2020 in organising a meeting with organisers or a public hearing, respectively, because of measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by the Member State in which those institutions intend to organise the meeting or hearing, they shall organise it as soon as the public health situation in the Member State concerned makes it possible to do so, or, in the event that the organisers agree to participate remotely in the meeting or hearing, as soon as they are able to agree with the institutions on a date for it.

Notwithstanding Article 15(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788, where the European Parliament postpones the public hearing pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article, the Commission shall adopt its communication setting out its legal and political conclusions on the initiative within three months after the public hearing.