IF THE path of the European Union could be likened to the global space race, then Neil Armstrong would be making his seventh “giant leap” by now. The signing of the Constitution by the 25 EU heads of state in Rome yesterday was no mean feat. It was more than a small step and just another example of the elasticity of European evolution.
Rewind back to 1992 when John Major was holding the Maastricht Treaty to ransom over the social chapter, and ask yourself, who could have guessed a decade later, 28 states would be talking shop over the ultimate anthology of EU laws and principles bound together in just one volume titled the EU Constitution.
There were debates, cries, threats of sabotage and calls to Christ over the content of this constitution, but, as always in Brussels, a miraculous compromise was found and the unthinkable happened. Yesterday, 25 leaders, representing very diverse countries with distinct desires and beliefs, signed the Constitution Treaty that is billed to be the mother of all treaties in the union’s history.
A remarkable feat, but very European. Of course, to enter into force, all 25 member states must ratify it within two years. The Brits, who hold no claim to a tangible constitution, could still wreck the party at referendum, but then so could the Danes, or any other nation for that matter. Luckily the House of Representatives has lifted that heavy weight off our shoulders and Cypriots can sleep sound at night knowing that the only ratifying to be done will be done in plenum.
It seems so far fetched that governments could get 455 million people to approve something they know and understand so little of that it might as well be forgotten. But then, that would be a very silly thing to do, because Europeans have a bizarre way of ironing out their differences, and squeezing squares through a triangle. They have honed the skill of horse-trading to a fine art.
And so it is the constitution, which academics argue is not really a constitution, has been agreed and awaits final ratification before entering into force.
What does it mean? Well, the European Constitution replaces the main existing treaties within a single text. It defines the values, objectives, powers, decision-making procedures and institutions of the EU. It incorporates the Charter on Fundamental Rights, which basically puts all existing rights into one basket. It describes the policies, internal and external action and functioning of the EU. And finally, it contains general and final provisions, including procedures for adopting and revising the constitution.
Interesting fact: for the first time, a provision has been included allowing any country that wishes to leave the EU to do so within a two-year period. So all those UKIP Members of Parliament in Strasburg need to get their campaign placards out and urge their supporters to vote ‘yes’ if they still want to see the back of Brussels.
The constitution guarantees respect for certain common values, like human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights. It provides for the four fundamental freedoms of persons, goods and services, capital and establishment and no discrimination on grounds of nationality.
There are provisions on European citizenship, workers’ rights, the environment and a whole load of other interesting things worth looking up.
A new right of citizens included in the constitution is the citizens’ initiative. If at least one million citizens from a certain number of member states request a specific proposal, the Commission may be persuaded to submit one along the lines desired by those citizens.
The competences of the EU are clearly clarified and the right of each national parliament to examine whether a Commission proposal is within its remit is also entrenched.
In all, a lot of things are simplified (by EU standards), making the constitution a necessary tool in the expanding integration of European countries. Where it takes us from here, well, ask Neil where he went after his seventh jump.
