Comments on: My take on the Lisbon Treaty http://blogeuropa.eu/2007/11/21/my-take-on-the-lisbon-treaty/ Ideas, debates, analysis et al. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:18:29 +0000 hourly 1 By: Peter Davidson http://blogeuropa.eu/2007/11/21/my-take-on-the-lisbon-treaty/comment-page-1/#comment-4674 Peter Davidson Thu, 22 Nov 2007 18:02:48 +0000 http://blogeuropa.eu/?p=137#comment-4674 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? 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?

]]> By: Ralf Grahn http://blogeuropa.eu/2007/11/21/my-take-on-the-lisbon-treaty/comment-page-1/#comment-4675 Ralf Grahn Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:58:47 +0000 http://blogeuropa.eu/?p=137#comment-4675 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. 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.

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