The moment of truth
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
The sinuous journey of the Lisbon Treaty – shall we call it EU Constitution? – has reached its moment of truth. Deprived of their own rights, almost half a billion citizens across the EU wonder how the Irish will cast their ballots tomorrow.
The Irish people are now allowed a period of reflection in the final stages of the debate after both sides have made a final push in their campaigns.
If the Lisbon Treaty passes the test, we can expect the 2009 European Elections to become a proxy referendum. With increased powers, MEPs will be able to better represent voices of dissent.
A no victory will stop the European high speed train and force the integrationist side and the federalists to accept that there is no room for further integration unless democracy and transparency are improved.
No matter the outcome, one thing is certain. The Irish will vote and should vote on a Treaty that is paramount in its scope and design.
EUD President Jens-Peter Bonde has – for quite some time now – encouraged everyone to try and find at least one law in any Member Country that will remain fully untouched by the Lisbon Treaty. Not even the ‘yes’ side in Ireland has found one.
You can read a Reader-Friendly Version of the Treaty HERE.