NewsLab

Three «thunderous» NO, in three years…First the French, next the Dutch and now bad luck comes in threes for the European Union which is sinking once again in the vicious cycle of introversion. Brussels is watching the developments pass them by without being able to react… After the Irish blow to the Lisbon Treaty, Friday, 13th of June 2008 will remain in history as the day that brought bad lack to the coherence of the European Union, And now what?  Among the likely scenarios:   - Ireland to have a new referendum- The Treaty of Lisbon would be announced «dead». - An opt out option for Ireland, which will not participate in certain sectors of  European policy.  - What seems quite unlikely, at least for now, is a new tour of negotiations that will lead to a new treaty.  Against «Europe of bosses», the prospect of abortions’ legalisation and the loss of precious Irish neutrality, Irish decided to crush irreparably European’s Union prestige. Many political analysts keep a critical attitude towards Ireland which seems to have forgotten the benefits of the European integration and what the country looked like, before receiving the European funding.  The treaty of Lisbon, if ratified, would introduce a right of initiative for EU citizens, by enabling them to put proposals to the Commission,  that would step up their participation in the EU decision-making process. For example, the binding nature of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights offers greater certainty that citizens’ rights will be fully respected, because any action taken by the EU institutions would have to pass this test.
 
What will follow? Should the European leaders give up or step up their efforts and at the same time being prepared for more “No’s”? No matter what the future will bring, current results provoke suspiciousness in E.E environment and make the multi-speed Europe seem like an utopia…