My take on the Lisbon Treaty
José M. de Areilza
November 21, 2007
A few days ago I was asked to make a presentation on the new Lisbon Treaty. The main question I tried to answer was: “What will the new EU be like under the Treaty of Lisbon?”.
As I prepared my lecture, I was reminded of a friend who claims that he has never met a pesimist who was wrong. My main conclusion is that with the death of the European Constitution we have damaged the Community “material” constitution, in fact it is quite interesting that both the terms “Constitution and “Community” have been expelled out of the European Union system by the Lisbon Treaty.
You will find attached my presentation (in Spanish only, for the time being) and I look forward to your comments!
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The European leaders (and citizens) may feel treaty reform fatigue, but in the end there is no escape from the necessity to adapt the foundations and workings of the European Union (the means) to fit the professed aims, i.e. to become a global player, enhance internal security, open and fair trade rules, prosperity and competitiveness.
And, in the 21st Century, democratic legitimacy and accountability is not an option, it is a must.
The Lisbon Treaty is not, and cannot be, the last word on treaty reform.
Comment by Ralf Grahn — November 21, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
100% agree with you Ralph
The Union can never appear as a vibrant and dynamic global player, relevant and responsive to its citizens without democratisation of its arcane institutional hierarchy. By default that means politicising the European arena and creating truly pan-European political parties contesting elections on specifically European areas of policy.
This would lead to an inevitable diminution of the power and influence currently exerted by member states (particularly the larger examples) via the hegemonic role played by the Council of Ministers/European Council.
How about starting this process by proposing a second elected chamber to represent the real diversity of the Union, i.e. A Senate based on small Member States and Regions within the larger States, to replace the Committee of the Regions, Economic and Social Committee, Council of Ministers and European Council, thus at a stroke injecting a healthy dose of democratic accountability whilst reducing the appointed/bureaucratic profile of the Union’s institutional framework.
Anyone for real constitutional reform?
Comment by Peter Davidson — November 22, 2007 @ 8:02 pm