The EU Institutions between Enlargement and the Constitution

This introductory article from the special issue
of Eipascope  analyses the impact of enlargement
and the potential future impact of the Constitution on the EU
institutions’ practical work.

Abstract (taken directly from the paper)

The year 2004 has been one of special importance for the
European institutions. In addition to the election of a new
Parliament and appointment of a new Commission, the institutions
have been faced with the challenges posed by the accession of ten
new Member States on 1 May, and have begun to look forward to the
changes which may be introduced by the Treaty establishing a
Constitution for Europe which was signed on 29 October. This
special issue of Eipascope therefore looks at the EU institutions
‘between enlargement and the Constitution’. The introductory
article highlights the different dimensions of institutional change
which are involved and the different kinds of question which are
posed regarding the institutional development of the Union. The
five contributions then look at the Council, the European
Parliament, the European Commission and the Court of Justice, as
well as the institutional dimensions of external action. They ask
whether the preparations for enlargement have been sufficient and
what the impact of enlargement may now prove to be, as well as
looking at what the newly-signed Constitution may mean for the
institutions’ practical work and political role in the
future. 

Author: Dr. Edward Best, Professor, Unit Head – EIPA
Maastricht

Click here to access the paper, which is the ‘introductory article’
of Eipascope  2004/3.