The premises
- 14 December 2006: "I would consider it an historical failure" Merkel said according to Deutsche Welle “if we do not succeed in working out the substance of the constitutional treaty by the time the next European elections take place,” adding that she and the German government would work “intensively” during the six-month Presidency “so that such a treaty, based on our common values, can go into force.” (Source: Open Europe)
- 06 November 2006: To the question: “Who’s waiting for the Constitution in Europe? Just the politicians?” Merkel's answer is: “Whether citizens have an essential need for the Constitution, I don’t know. I don’t know either whether every German has a need for the Basic Law every minute. But when one agrees on a platform of common rights and obligations, it is substantial.” Angela Merkel adds “Until the next European election we need results else this Europe is not functional anymore.” (Source: S