I tentativi di resuscitare la Costituzione europea
9/2/2007Brief scritta per il Power and Interest News Report:
Because of the succession of E.U. presidencies and legislative elections in France, the United Kingdom, and Germany during the next three years, political timing seems favorable for such an attempt to revive the constitution, at least from a technical point of view. The first half of the year has Germany as the holder of the E.U. rotating presidency. Merkel has stated that 2009 must be seen as the new deadline to approve the constitution. The first half of this year, however, will also witness the French presidential elections. As a consequence, Merkel does not know who will be the leader of her main E.U. partner, France, until May.
Therefore, two possible solutions have been advanced, according to the preferences of France’s main presidential runners: Nicolas Sarkozy’s “mini-treaty” and Ségolène Royal’s newly negotiated full constitution (that would require a new E.U.-wide referendum). A compromise will likely be found before Germany vacates the E.U. presidency on June 30.
