A day after the Lisbon Treaty to strengthen the European Unioncleared its last major hurdle, the leader of the British Conservatives,David Cameron, announced Wednesday that he would not hold a referendum on the accord if he became prime minister. Mr. Cameron had earlier promised to hold a referendum, but that was before it became clear that all 27 member countries would agree to the treaty. “A made-up referendum might make people feel better for five minutes,” he said in a speech in London, “but my job is to put together a plan that lasts five years.” In this situation we can see that in the UK, the situation about the Lisbon treaty is still mentioned. All these situation about the Lisbon treaty is not making happy to all the Britain s, even if the government is in favor to the treaty, the citizens are not really in favor or it. The government of the United Kingdom didn't give a referendum to the people. The government only took the decision to sig it. And this I think that is because if all the people could know exactly what the treaty is, it would be even more difficult to be signed by all the countries.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Uk and the Lisbon Treaty
Never again!
David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition in the United Kingdom, has said "never again" to powers that are being transferred from the UK to Brussels without a referendum. I read this article from BBC news and I found it very interesting because he recently outlined his new european policy and he said that all future treaties would be put to a public vote. I think this is a great new reform because citizens should be capable of taking decisions from their countries. He also promised a sovereignity bill if the tories win the next election; what he wants to assure is that they'll lock in the supremacy. What Mr. Cameron and his new policies are trying to create is to abandon a pledge to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, this is coming to grow in December 1st.
"I did not promise a referendum come what may, because once the Lisbon Treaty becomes law there is nothing people cand do about it." He then added: "I recognise there are some who, now that we cannot have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, want a referendum on something else... anything else.
"But I just don't think it's right to concoct some new pretext for a referendum simply to have one for the sake of it."
People has to know why treaties are being processed, what is their goverment working on. Is important to cover any future attempt to take Britain into the European single currency.
What Mr.Cameron is doing is very helpful for citizens, what he is attempting to do is to make a commitement with people.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Lisbon Treaty finally signed
The Lisbon Treaty was created to change the workings of the European Union, with the purpose of transforming the European continent into a more unite and influential global player, its purpose is “to complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam [1997] and by the Treaty of Nice with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improving the coherence of its action."This treaty had been signed by 26 countries of the European Union except by Czechoslovakia. But finally today, (after eight years of efforts to bring major constitutional reforms to the European Union) 3rd of November 2009 the Czech president Vaclav Klaus signed the treaty at Prague Castle after the Czech constitutional said that the document does not violate the country's constitution.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/03/lisbon-treaty-vaclav-klaus-ratified
http://www.realtruth.org/articles/090303-004-europe.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Lisbon#cite_note-1
Czech Republic signs the Lisbon Treaty
The Czech President Vaclav Klaus, signed the Lisbon Treaty today at 3pm, Czech time (2pm in London). This means that the Lisbon Treaty can finally become a reality for Europe - probably within weeks.
The Czech Constitutional court said that the Lisbon Treaty was not agains the Constitution of the Czech Republic, which was the barrier that President Klaus gave for not signing the treaty. Now, however, he has accepted the Constitutional court's decision, though he says that it wasn't neutral, and that he still disagrees with it.
December First seemsa probable date to put the Treaty into effect but maybe the Europeans will want to wait until the New Year and start the New Decade with a new European Union.
This is the start of a New Era for the entire world. Whether it will be good or bad, only time will tell.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
More Lisbon Treaty, Lisbon Treaty, Lisbon Treaty
- Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker
- Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende
- Chancellor of Austria, Wolfgang Schüssel
- Prime Minister of Belgium, Herman Van Rompuy
Slowly but surely, the Lisbon Treaty is approaching its final approval. Klaus has already said he will no longer stop the ratification course of the Lisbon Treaty, anymore. The Czech Republic will give its final say this November. And as this day comes closer, we'll be surely receiving news of how the new European Union begins to be build, for it is expected to have both the Foreign Minister and Presidency working by January 1st.
More information:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/merkel-and-sarkozy-unite-to-end-blairs-european-dream-1812260.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/oct/29/david-miliband-eu-foreign-minister
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/31/content_12363525.htm
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jp4Lx1DtsiixahWoc0q7EyaTN2fQ
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/30/david-miliband-eu-foreign-minister
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/29/eu-presidency-tony-blair-rivals
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Lisbon Treaty Developments
Dear Students,
After hearing the Irish vote yes to the Lisbon Treaty on October 02nd, we are now seeing some very interesting developments in Europe.
The final country that needs to ratify the treaty for it to come into effect is the Czech Republic. Its Parliament has already ratified the document, but the President, Vaclav Klaus, is against the treaty and does not want to sign. Without his signature it cannot come into effect in any of the 27 countries.
This is a tense political situation because he is now facing pressure from the entire EU to sign - and there are reports that the Czech Government may force him out of office to enable the treaty to come into effect!
Obviously this is a dangerous situation, but from a uniquely academic point of view I feel that we should all follow this situation closely over the next two weeks, which will be crucial.
To understand how the President is delaying the ratification, and to put this into perspective, I include two articles (in Spanish) for you to read. The first explains today's news from the European Commission. The second speaks about Tony Blair and the possibilities that he could be the first EU President.
1) http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Barroso/condena/Praga/aislamiento/firma/tratado/europeo/elpepuint/20091014elpepiint_3/Tes
2) http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/presidente/Europa/elpepuint/20091014elpepiint_4/Tes
I actively want everyone to follow these issues over the next couple of weeks as they are very important.
See you in the next class.
Maestro.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
And Ireland says... Yes!
Prime Minister Brian Cowen gets out the 'vote yes' message in Tullamore. Taken from CNN.
This Friday October 2nd, 2009, Ireland held a vote to decide if they would accept the Lisbon Treaty. Ireland as a country is rather special for doing this, since every other country in the European Union had their parliaments accept the Treaty. But Ireland's Law states that the citizens have a right to vote on any big changes that would change the political structure of the country.
And diverging from last year's 53% of Irish people voting No to the Lisbon Treaty, this year, 67% of Irish people voted Yes in favor of the treaty. This is a huge change for the nation and of course, for Europe.
The Lisbon Treaty entails a lot of changes for the European Union and its member countries, since the Charter of Fundamental Rights, among other things, would become legally binding for all the 27 members of the Union, forcing them to change their actual policies. In the case of the Union itself, new posts, such as a President fo the European Council who would last 2 and a half years on the post, are being created. Some things like are being removed too.
It rests to see if this is a positive or a negative thing. For now, we can congratulate the Irish on the unified front they have presented.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
General Information about the Lisbon Treaty
The Lisbon Treaty
The Treaty signed by the Heads of State or Government of the 27 Member States in Lisbon on 13 December 2007 will provide the EU with modern institutions and optimised working methods to tackle both efficiently and effectively today's challenges in today's world. In a rapidly changing world, Europeans look to the EU to address issues such as globalisation, climatic and demographic changes, security and energy. The Treaty of Lisbon will reinforce democracy in the EU and its capacity to promote the interests of its citizens on a day-to-day basis.
Yes or NO Lisbon treaty
But why? Has something changed?
Well it is the same text as last time, the only thing that has changed is Ireland
People on the campaign to vote for Yes have three arguments. One says that the economic crisis has affected Ireland a lot and that it has become more dependent on its neighbors.
The other one says “If we vote ‘No’, the Eurocrats will find a way to get back at us” Michael O’Leary. And the last is because of the government.
"Last year’s poll was lost because of voter confusion, a lacklustre official campaign and an effective opposition campaign that focused on abortion, neutrality and taxation"
Well it seems like Ireland will eventually say Yes, but that is not sure.
If Ireland votes No on the Lisbon treaty, it wont stop Europe from advancing says France.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6821678.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6850866.ece
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100011635/why-irish-voters-are-backtracking-on-the-lisbon-treaty/
Lisbon Treaty changes for citizens
Thanks to these innovations the European Union will be able to have the possibility to implement its policies that aimed to guarantee economic growth and competitiveness, improving employment and social conditions, enhancing personal and collective security, promoting a better environment and better health conditions, developing cohesion and solidarity between Member States as well as scientific and technological progress. http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/faq/index_en.htm#2 Kriesi, Titine, and Gisbite Otto. "El tratado de Lisboa – un caballo de Troya." Horizons et débats N.p., 30 Aug. 2009. Web. 30 Sep. 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A little bit more about the Lisbon Treaty
A group of Czech senators are looking forward to file a complaint against the Lisbon Treaty and they would like the Constitutional Court to revise it and confirm there is no contradiction between the treaty and the constitution of the Czech Republic, backed up by the fear of losing, of course, the republic’s sovereignty (which they claim will be undermined), in order to proceed with the ratification. This process would take time and even moths until the final appeal is given and it looks like President Klaus is not willing to sign the ratification at any moment before he hears the final word from the Constitutional Court. This will unquestionably increase the nervousness of the European leaders and the people who has been waiting for quite some time for a resolution.
And in case Ireland, or Poland or the Czech Republic rejects the treaty… what would happen then? It would be a second failure for the reforms of the European Union. As anxiety grows in Europe, the uncertainty of the European Union’s future prevails and so it will continue if nations do not completely agree on the Lisbon treaty. Is it possible to continue growing as a community in the very same conditions? Maybe it is, but in a slower pace, I believe. But as long as that intense fear of losing power stays alive within the members, there will be no definite approach to a more integrated union.
Information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8281098.stm
http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/09/30/1221s519599.htm
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/54684
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6841622.ece
http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/09/28/790844_lisbon-treaty-passes-milestone-in-germany
EU: Hsitory and Legislature
I found two very good videos on the European Union. The first one, tells the history of the EU in 5 minutes, with images and years. It doesn't only mention what we've seen in class, but it also expands on that information and gives some extra facts. It's a nice way to review the EU history for those of you who like a more visual approach.
Who says yes, who says no?