About: Lisbon Treaty
Lisbon Treaty has potential to foster whole-of-Europe approach to external conflicts
Just when the European Union needs to act as one to prevent major powers from fomenting division, EU institutions and member states seem to lack the political will to set aside their disagreements and focus on the common interest, write Steven Blockmans, Loes Debuysere and Stefani Weiss.
EU leaders mark a decade of Lisbon Treaty amid calls for reform
European Union leaders on Sunday (1 December) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty, the union's legal cornerstone, amid calls to reform a bloc weakened over the past decade by economic and migration crises, rising euroscepticism and Brexit.
Juncker: Not enough work to keep 28 Commissioners busy
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has urged member states not to name short-term replacements for the Commissioners that have been elected as MEPs, insisting there is not enough work for 28 Commissioners anyway.
Europe’s democratic challenge: in search of government
Europe is about democracy. We cherish democracy in our national institutions by ensuring a healthy separation of powers, by fighting for free and fair elections, and by combining the rule of the majority with the protection of the minority, write Louis Drounau and Andrew Duff.
The Ulster Question: Taking ‘the Union’ out of the Brexit debate.
Brexit has become a ‘21st Century Ulster Question’, writes Dick Roche, who also suggests how it can be solved.
Brits thrown post-Brexit EU citizenship lifeline by Commission
The European Commission registered a Citizens' Initiative on Wednesday (18 July) that could end up securing EU citizenship for UK citizens once Britain leaves the EU.
The Brief – What to do about Article 42 as Greek-Turkish tensions escalate
“If a member of the European Union is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, other states have an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power.”
The key to unlocking Brexit is… in the Lisbon Treaty
The Northern Irish DUP party, a junior coalition member to Theresa May’s government, is a stumbling block to unlocking the Brexit talks. Dick Roche gives the receipt how the problem can be solved.
National and regional parliaments bet on Timmermans’ task force to gain clout
A few weeks after the European Commission launched yet another task force to look at ways to improve legislative scrutiny, national and regional parliaments representatives mulled new ideas to put more flesh on subsidiarity.
MEPs divided on the citizens’ initiative to ban glyphosate
More than a million European citizens have signed a petition to ban glyphosate, a pesticide classed as a probable carcinogen. In the face of European concerns, MEPs are divided. EURACTIV France reports.
Without changing treaties, Juncker changes the EU
The long-awaited State of the Union address delivered by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday (13 September) has boldly set a plan for EU institutional change, without changing the Treaties.
Duff : Is the European Parliament really a serious parliament?
Over the years, step by step, the European Parliament has won a share of real constitutional power. Today, circumstances have thrown it a golden opportunity to take another major step – but it looks as though MEPs are going to retreat again, argues Andrew Duff.
Support for Lisbon Treaty was unnecessary investment of political capital
The mantra of European elites for the support of the Lisbon Treaty included greater transparency of the decision-making process. Almost ten years after signing the Treaty, Mirek Topolánek says he now knows "for sure" that his support was unnecessary.
Commission fluffs lines on decision-making reform
The European Commission has revealed its long-awaited reform of the so-called comitology decision-making process. But it has already been criticised for not being ambitious enough and concerns have been raised about whether the proposal stands any chance of being approved.
Brussels refutes claims that it will make UK sport teams wear EU flag
The EU this weekend scolded the British tabloid press for claiming it is demanding that its flag be flown at sporting events and displayed on team shirts.
UK unveils Brexit blueprint
The British government on Thursday (2 February) presented its Brexit strategy to parliament, publishing 12 objectives that it believes will secure "a new, positive and constructive partnership" with the EU.
May throws down gauntlet to European leaders
Watching Theresa May in a hotel room in the capital of a small European nation, not in the EU, has been a surreal experience. Her insistence that every other EU leader had to accept that their citizens cannot any longer travel to the UK on the terms they can today seemed borderline impertinent, writes Denis MacShane.
UK ambassador in Brussels quits on eve of Brexit negotiations
Britain’s ambassador to the EU has unexpectedly resigned, just weeks before the UK triggers Article 50 to begin negotiating its exit from the bloc, the Financial Times reported Tuesday (2 January).
Spanish philosopher: ‘We have lost the idea of Europe’
Philosopher José Antonio Marina told EURACTIV Spain that the idea of Europe has been lost and called on the EU to undertake a period of “quiet” reflection in order to relaunch a project imbued with “intellectual, political and economic vigour”.
Sturgeon frustrated by Brexit talks with May
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned Monday (24 October) she would not watch her country "driven off a hard Brexit cliff" as she voiced frustration at her latest talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May.
Vestager’s poisoned Apple
Kicking the big guy in the shins is always a popular political diversion – particularly when the big guy in question is an American multinational, writes Dick Roche.
EU law expert: Throwing Hungary out would ‘fan the flames of populism’
Hungary has courted controversy over the last few months and has been accused of ignoring European principles and undermining the rule of law. Walther Michl explained to what extent Budapest should fear repercussions from Brussels, in an interview with EURACTIV Germany.
Luxembourg foreign minister wants Hungary out of EU
Luxembourg's foreign minister, Jean Asselborn, has called for Hungary to be thrown out of the European Union. EURACTIV Germany reports.