European academics rewrite draft constitution

The intention of this ad-hoc group is to improve the draft constitution by suggesting "embellishments" or "positive sum amendments" to the draft, as opposed to big structural changes. Their declared aim is to bring the constitution closer to the citizens by improving its readability; to enhance the legal clarity and consistency of the draft; as well as to make the text more explicit through a number of normative amendments.

The group of researchers and academics would like to draw the attention of the IGC to the document, which it intends to officially publish on 2 October. To give leverage to the proposal, they are seeking additional "signatories" to join the current group comprising individuals from at least nine European countries, as well as the US.

The document, hosted on the

website of the University of Michigan , would support, for instance, the avoidance of grandiloquence in the preamble and the deletion of the Greek quotation. They also propose an "original way" of signing the preamble, by making every Member State come up with a formula or a motto for their national contribution to the EU, which would lead to additional national debates on the future of Europe.