One objective of the European constitution is to simplify the institutional system. A current complication is the pillar structure, whereby different legislative and institutional routes are used according to the […]
The constitutional treaty explained: Legal personality for the EU Read More »
At present, responsibility for EU foreign policy is divided between the Council of Ministers (foreign policy in its traditional sense), whose High Representative for Foreign Affairs is Javier Solana, and
The constitutional treaty explained: A double-hatted foreign minister Read More »
In every European country, the national constitution sets out procedures whereby draft laws are proposed by the government and approved by the national parliament. In some countries, such as Italy
The constitutional treaty explained: The citizens’ initiative Read More »
By Richard Laming Published in EUobserver, 19 September 2006 The political season resumes after the summer break with renewed discussions about what to do with the constitutional treaty. Ratification – and
Words are easy, actions are harder Read More »
An interesting discussion yesterday between Andrew Duff and Michael Moore, Liberal Democrat spokespeople on constitutional affairs in the European Parliament and foreign affairs in the House of Commons, respectively. (It
Where next for the constitution? Read More »
William Hague’s speech to the Open Europe group last week is a masterpiece of confusion, of seeking to have it both ways. As such, perhaps, it is a good illustration
The government reshuffle earlier this month saw Geoff Hoon return to the post of Minister for Europe. He has held the job before, for three months in 1999, since which
Welcome back, Geoff Hoon Read More »
It’s hard to open a newspaper right now without coming across another article on the state of France. What is the future of the French republic? What about the French
France is not a billiard ball Read More »
Based on an talk by Richard Laming at the AGM of Federal Union, 11 March 2006 In talking about why the European constitution went wrong, it makes sense to break
The European constitution: what went wrong? Read More »
Report by the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee, 23 March 2005 The House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee’s report on the European constitution drew in several places on evidence
Aspects of the EU’s Constitutional Treaty Read More »
