Lisbon Treaty and European Council

The European Council met today and yesterday to discuss, inter alia, what to do next after the Irish "No" vote in the referendum on whether that country should ratify the Lisbon-Reform Treaty.

As you can see from the "conclusions", the result was well, err, inconclusive.

Here's what the bit on the Lisbon Treaty actually says:

"1. The European Council took note of the preparatory work carried out in line with its December 2007 conclusions.
2. The European Council noted the outcome of the referendum in Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty and took stock of the situation on the basis of an initial assessment provided by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
3. The European Council agreed that more time was needed to analyse the situation. It noted that the Irish government will actively consult, both internally and with the other Member States, in order to suggest a common way forward.
4. Recalling that the purpose of the Lisbon Treaty is to help an enlarged Union to act more effectively and more democratically, the European Council noted that the parliaments in 19 Member States have ratified the Treaty and that the ratification process continues in other countries1.
5. The European Council agreed to Ireland's suggestion to come back to this issue at its meeting of 15 October 2008 in order to consider the way forward. It underlined the importance in the meantime of continuing to deliver concrete results in the various policy areas of concern to the citizens."

Some of that is a bit cryptic (and perhaps provides the start of an explanation of the problem). The footnote reads as follows:

"The European Council noted that the Czech Republic cannot complete their ratification process until the Constitutional Court delivers its positive opinion on the accordance of the Lisbon Treaty with the Czech constitutional order."

Looks like a promise of more interesting things to come. We'll keep an eye on that case for you.

Comments

[JO]

No comment on the fact that Germany is having a few problems ratifying too, then?

[rechtsberatung]

Thanks for the detail.

[Ralf Grahn]

The delay could be used for more creative approaches than 'getting around' the Irish no vote.

I have come to the conclusion that the legitimacy problem of the EU can no longer be remedied without profound democratic reform; a bit like the US Bill of Rights.

[Bartolus]

Problems with ratification in Germany ? Thought that was done by the German Parliament on May 23rd 2008. Have a look at :
http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/countries/index_en.htm

[Bartolus]

But there is a snag in the United Kingdom. The instruments of ratification may not be deposited until the High Court deals with a case about whether or not there should be a referendum in the United Kingdom.
See this Guardian newspaper report :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/21/ireland.eu1
And this case:
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2008/936.html