Roadmap for a new European project

Since the two no votes on the Constitutional Treaty referenda in France and the Netherlands, Europe's political elites have tried to formulate a way-out of the institutional crisis. Although most of them agree that a re-run of the referenda in the two founding member states is very unlikely, none of them wants to officially declare the draft Constitution "dead". 

The one-year "period of reflection" has not provided any miracle solution either and therefore the coming European Council on 15-16 June is expected to extend the reflection period with two years. In the meantime, argue the Constitution advocates, other member states should continue with the ratification. For an overview of all alternative solutions launched during the "period of reflection", read our special LinksDossier.

The book "Plan B. Changer la gouvernance Européenne" was written by four members of the Permanent Forum of European Civil Society and a former collaborator of Jean Monnet.  It provides a roadmap and a vision for a new European project. Starting from a refusal of the European elites' conviction that "there is no alternative" (TINA) and their own opinion that the Union, instead of providing solutions, has become part of the problem, the authors of the book recognise the need for a third Convention.    

This third Convention (after the first one on the Fundamental Rights Charter and the second one for the Constitutional Treaty) would be organised after the convening of an "Estates-General of Networks Europe" and prepare a genuine new European Constitution based on a redefined political "context". As an alternative to enlargement and the EU's current neighbourhood policy, the book proposes the creation of "a second Olympic Ring, an "Alliance of the Three Seas".

The book also provides a detailed calendar or roadmap for "a new context". The launch of the "Estates General of Networks Europe" in September 2006 would be followed by the adoption in March 2007 of a "Solemn Declaration of Interdependence by the European Citizens". A new Convention III would start in September 2007 to prepare a "European societal contract" and a new Constitution. In 2009, this new Constitution would be presented to the citizens in a consultation together with the European Parliament elections in June.