Cambridge Studies in European Law and Policy: The Constitution for Europe: A Legal Analysis

There is much confusion over the 'Constitution', and this book provides an in-depth legal analysis of the institutional aspects of the Constitutional Treaty which, if ratified by the 25 EU Member States, would govern the European Union. Piris argues that, despite its ratification being rejected by the French and the Netherlands referenda in 2005, the Treaty should not be discarded, as it will inevitably be the point of departure for the future of European integration. He places this analysis in an historical and political context and explains the origin, meanings and legal and political effects of all proposed changes to the present treaties.

Introduction; 1. Is the Constitution for Europe 'dead and buried'?; 2. The process that led to the Constitution; 3. Changes in structures and procedures; 4. Changes in the institutions; 5. Changes in substance; 6. General assessment; Conclusion: What will the final form of the Union be?; Annex 1 - Laeken Declaration on the Future of the European Union; Annex 2 - Existing legal bases switched to ordinary legislative procedure (codecision); Annex 3 - Existing legal bases switched to qualified majority voting in the Council; Annex 4 - New legal bases; Annex 5 - Existing legal bases where unanimity, common accord or consensus will continue to apply; Annex 6 - Table of equivalences between the provisions of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and the provisions of the EU and EC Treaties; Annex 7 - List of 'passerelles' and provisions on a simplified revision procedure.