The Constitutional Debate in the European Union. A Quest for a New Paradigm
The Constitutional Debate in the European Union. A Quest for a New Paradigm

Summary/Abstract: The first quinquennium of the 21st century started in a promising way for the EU’s institutional development, but is ending in uncertainty regarding its future. After the Nice- (2000) and Laeken (2001) declarations and the innovative and successful Convention (2002-2003), finally an agreement on a Constitutional Treaty was reached in the Intergovernmental Conference. In October 2004 this Treaty was solemnly signed by all member states and the candidate countries. Despite this apparent breakthrough, during the ratification process all demons of the past re-emerged. The nicely formulated parts 1 and 2 of the draft Constitution could not dissimulate the fundamental lack of clarity in the ‘finalité politique’ of the Union.

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