European constitution
On the 18 July 2003, the final draft of the constitution for the European Union was published by the Praesidium of the Convention on the Future of Europe. This document is the subject of much controversy, particularly in the United Kingdom, where its opponents see it as the start of moves towards a federal European super-state. In the rest of Europe, the Convention went through generally unnoticed. The objectives of the draft Constitution are, mainly, to simplify the over-lapping series of Treaties and Protocols and enhance the functioning of the future 25-member European Union.
The draft constitution makes provision for:
- a president of the European Council elected by European governments;
- convergence in foreign policy (subject to certain conditions).
This project will be analysed by the IGC (Inter-Governmental Conference) in October 2003. The final project, which will probably be called Constitutional Treaty or Treaty Establishing a Constitution for the European Union, will be subject to national referenda or parlimentary ratification. If approved by all Member-states (including the new ones), it will be put into force as soon as possible. However, this draft establishes 2009 as the year when all the Constitution's provisions will be in force.
See also:
