Type relevant Irish language Unit Name into this text box in Title Master. Type relevant English language Unit Name into this text box in Title Master. The Convention on the Future of Europe Professor Brigid Laffan UCD College of Human Sciences

From Nice to the European Constitution Framing Period (May 2000-Septembr 2002) Joskha Fischer (German Foreign Minister) –Debate on the Future of Europe (Humbolt Speech) –Finalite of Integration –Strongly Federalist –‘Full parliamentarisation as a European federation’ –European Government –Constituent Treaty Other Political Leaders replied

Variations on a Theme French perspective Jospin ‘Federation of Nation States’ Social Programme ‘The idea of abolishing our national states is as absurd as denying that they have already chosen to pool some of their sovereignty and will continue to do so, because it is in their interest’ Chirac 2000’ Constituent tensions underpinning the EU –Member States and Collectivity

A British Perspective Tony Blair Warsaw 2000 European Council as the centre of political authority Organic Constitutional edifice Charter of competencies

The Core Tension Continuum Federalis t Sovereignst

The Belgian Presidency: Agenda Setting Laeken Declaration December 2002 Four Broad Areas –A better division and definition of competence in the EU –Simplification of the Union’s instruments –Democracy, transparency and efficiency –Towards a Constitution for European Citizens ‘more like a constitutional agenda than the basis for a classic treaty reform’ Went beyond the Nice left-overs

New Format Convention –15 representatives from the member states –30 members of national parliaments –16 MEPs –2 Commission representatives –3 per candidate states (not full members) Plenary, presidium and working groups Market place for ideas about institutional and constitutional reform in the EU

Another Philadelphia Convention? 13 colonies into one republic Confederation phase Federation1887/88

Why Now?? –Consolidate and simplify after so many treaties –Enlargement 25+ –External World-Need for Europe to act –Democratic Deficit –Stabilise the political system

Convention March 2002-July 2003 Listening Phase to July Working Phase-To March 2003 Final Phase- July 2003 Final document- Constitutional Treaty 5th October 2004 Inter Governmental Conference

Achievements of the Convention Agreement on the legal personality of the Union Abolition of the pillar structure Incorporation of the charter Strengthening the external capacity of the Union Agreement on the constituent values and objectives of the Union

Intergovernmental Conference IGC –Italian Presidency Latter half of 2003 –Irish Presidency First Half of 2004 –Agreement in June 2004 –Ratification

Role of the IGC Sensitive Issues –Reference to God –Economic governance –Defence co-operation –Charter –JHA Institutional Issues –Composition of the Commission –Weighted voting in the Council –Presidency –Unanimity to QMV –Foreign Minister in CFSP and ESDP

Cleavages 1. Federalist versus sovereigntist states 2. Large and Small Member States (number of commissioners) 3. Large States and medium states re. weighted voting All outstanding issues agreed by June 2004

The Constitution ‘Values Map’ –Unity and diversity –Common Future –Peace –Area of freedom, security and justice –Sustainable development –Charter on rights ‘Power Map’ Relations between EU and member states Decision rules/roles

Competence Exclusive Shared Supporting Action

Institutions in the Constitution European Council Chair European Foreign Minister More Co-decision for EP –85 Articles Role for National Parliaments –Yellow Card

Rules Qualified Majority Voting –Extended to 156 Articles –Double Majority (65% population/55% of states) Commission –18 members in College –Rotation to begin in 2009 –Equality

Institutional Outcomes –Re-affirms and strengthens role of EP Long-time trend in the EU –National Parliaments-yellow card –New Roles –New processes re. appointments

Ratification France EU Constitution was rejected in a referendum on 29 May (results: Yes 45,13% - No 54,87% - Turnout 69,34%) Netherlands EU Constitution was rejected in a non-binding referendum on 1 June 2005 (result: Yes 38,4% - No 61,6% - Turnout 62,8%) Ratified in 15 member States Deferred in 8 Member States

Official response Period of reflection in all member states Understanding the No Votes France Rise in Unemployment and ‘delocalisations’ Liberalisation+economic governance-services directive No to Antidemocratic+ technocratic Union Enlargement-turkey

Who Voted No Farmers Labourers Office workers Middle managers/teachers Yes Professionals Executives Centre Left-no Socio-economic dimension

The Netherlands Netherlands will lose its identity Unease about the speed of integration Enlargement

Key Questions? Why was there a debate on the need for a European Constitution? Why the Convention method? Assess the outcome? What was there a ratification failure?