| Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Amends existing treaties (EURATOM, TFEU and TEU) |
| Signed | 13 December 2007 |
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Sealed | 18 December 2007[1] |
| Effective | 1 December 2009 |
| Signatories | |
| Depositary | Government of Italy |
| Citations | Prior amendment treaty: Nice Treaty (2001) Subsequent amendment treaty: not yet proposed |
| Languages | |
| Full text | |
 Treaty of Lisbon at Wikisource | |
Consolidated version of EURATOM Consolidated version of TFEU Consolidated version of TEU Consolidated protocols, annexes and declarations | |
The Treaty of Lisbon (initially known as the Reform Treaty) is a European agreement that amends the two treaties which form the constitutional basis of the European Union (EU). The Treaty of Lisbon, which was signed by all EU member states on 13 December 2007, entered into force on 1 December 2009.[2] It amends the Maastricht Treaty (1992), known in updated form as the Treaty on European Union (2007) or TEU, as well as the Treaty of Rome (1957), known in updated form as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (2007) or TFEU.[3] It also amends the attached treaty protocols as well as the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).
Prominent changes included the move from unanimity to qualified majority voting in at least 45 policy areas in the Council of Ministers, a change in calculating such a majority to a new double majority, a more powerful European Parliament forming a bicameral legislature alongside the Council of Ministers under the ordinary legislative procedure, a consolidated legal personality for the EU and the creation of a long-term President of the European Council and a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Treaty also made the Union's bill of rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, legally binding. For the first time, the treaty gave member states the explicit legal right to leave the EU, and established a procedure by which to do so.
The stated aim of the treaty was to "complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) and by the Treaty of Nice (2001) with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improving the coherence of its action".[4] Opponents of the Treaty of Lisbon, such as former Danish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jens-Peter Bonde, argued that it would centralize the EU,[5] and weaken democracy by "moving power away" from national electorates.[6] Supporters argue that it brings more checks and balances into the EU system, with stronger powers for the European Parliament and a new role for national parliaments.
Negotiations to modify EU institutions began in 2001, resulting first in the proposed Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, which would have repealed the existing European treaties and replaced them with a "constitution". Although ratified by a majority of member states, this was abandoned after being rejected by 55% of French voters on 29 May 2005[7][8] and then by 61% of Dutch voters on 1 June 2005.[9] After a "period of reflection", member states agreed instead to maintain the existing treaties and amend them, to bring into law a number of the reforms that had been envisaged in the abandoned constitution. An amending "reform" treaty was drawn up and signed in Lisbon in 2007. It was originally intended to have been ratified by all member states by the end of 2008. This timetable failed, primarily due to the initial rejection of the Treaty in June 2008 by the Irish electorate, a decision which was reversed in a second referendum in October 2009 after Ireland secured a number of concessions related to the treaty.[10][11]
- ^ "Lisbon Treaty: The making of". Council of the European Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
After signature by all 27 Heads of State and governments, the Treaty will travel back to Brussels, where it will be officially sealed with the seals of the 27 Member States, on the 18th of December. Then, it will be sent to Rome, the Italian government being the depository of the Treaties.
- ^ eur-lex.europa.eu: " Official Journal of the European Union, ISSN 1725-2423 C 115 Volume 51, 9 May 2008, retrieved 1 June 2014
- ^ Both can be found here in their consolidated states as of 29 December 2006
- ^ Quoted from the Treaty Preamble
- ^ European Union Committee of the House of Lords (2008). The Treaty of Lisbon: an impact assessment. London: Stationery Office. p. 335 (S18 Q47).
In the event, however, the Constitution and its successor, the Reform Treaty, pursued the centralizing course that had caused the democratic deficit in the first place. Additional competencies are transferred to the EU...
- ^ Jens-Peter Bonde (2007). From EU Constitution to Lisbon Treaty (PDF). Foundation for EU Democracy and the EU Democrats. p. 41. ISBN 978-87-87692-71-7.
We can still have elections, but we cannot use our vote to change legislation in the many areas where the Union is given the power to decide. It is a very, very long process to change an EU law under the Lisbon Treaty. The power to do this does not lie with the normal majority of voters. It also demands a great effort in a lot of countries to change a law.
- ^ "29 May 2005 European Constitution referendum: results in France". Minister of the Interior (in French). Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ "Marine Le Pen: "The spirit of 29 May"". Front National (in French). 28 May 2010. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ^ "Verkiezingsuitslagen Referendum 2005—Nederland". Kiesraad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ Crosbie, Judith (12 December 2008). "Ireland to hold second referendum". POLITICO. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- ^ "Ireland backs EU's Lisbon Treaty". BBC News. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2019.