Tomorrow, Thursday 12th June, is a very important date for the future of the European Union. It is the day when the Irish people will be called upon to vote in a referendum whether Ireland is to ratify the Lisbon Treaty or not. This vote is historic, not simply because given the unanimity requirement in European Law the Irish vote is essential, but more so when considering that the Irish are the only nation that will decide upon such an important issue by means of a referendum.
Truth be told, the European Union has an urgent need for structural reforms, which reforms cannot be implemented without the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty. The EU of twenty seven member states can no longer continue to function with the rules and structures put in place for a Community of six. For us in Malta, moreover, the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty would have a more direct result in that Malta's representation within the European Parliament will increase from the present five to six.
Should the Irish reject the Lisbon Treaty, which is itself a replacement from the previously botched European Constitution which had to be abandoned following 'no' votes in French and Dutch referenda, the whole process of reform would be derailed, possible for a very long time to come.
One possible outcome of such a negative vote would be for a real push by some member states for what has been labelled as a two-speed Europe. Although there have already been instances when such a two-speed approach within the block has been adopted, most prominently of which the adoption of the Euro, it is generally thought that such an approach is not beneficial to the overall development of the block, having ingrained within it the seeds of a potential fragmentation of what is today one block into a number of smaller but more cohesive sub-blocks.
Although it is generally agreed that a no vote in Ireland would represent a disaster for Europe, and despite the fact that the majority of the Irish people have consistently shown that they see the European Union itself in a positive light, the polls are indicating that the no's are currently enjoying the upper hand. What is curious here is that all the large political parties in Ireland are actively campaigning for a 'yes' vote.
History may be repeating itself. Back in 2001, the Irish shocked Europe by rejecting the Nice Treaty in a referendum, forcing the government of the day to hold a second poll a year later to get the much needed 'yes' vote. This option, however, may not be on the cards this time round. With three negative referenda, including the 2005 French and Dutch negative votes on the European Constitution, it would seem unlikely for there to be the political will to continue with this project, at least for the time being.
There is precious little that we can do at this stage. We just have to wait for the Irish people to cast their ballots and determine our fate. Europe is today hanging on by a thread. It is up to the Irish to say whether it is to go forward or stagnate.
Truth be told, the European Union has an urgent need for structural reforms, which reforms cannot be implemented without the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty. The EU of twenty seven member states can no longer continue to function with the rules and structures put in place for a Community of six. For us in Malta, moreover, the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty would have a more direct result in that Malta's representation within the European Parliament will increase from the present five to six.
Should the Irish reject the Lisbon Treaty, which is itself a replacement from the previously botched European Constitution which had to be abandoned following 'no' votes in French and Dutch referenda, the whole process of reform would be derailed, possible for a very long time to come.
One possible outcome of such a negative vote would be for a real push by some member states for what has been labelled as a two-speed Europe. Although there have already been instances when such a two-speed approach within the block has been adopted, most prominently of which the adoption of the Euro, it is generally thought that such an approach is not beneficial to the overall development of the block, having ingrained within it the seeds of a potential fragmentation of what is today one block into a number of smaller but more cohesive sub-blocks.
Although it is generally agreed that a no vote in Ireland would represent a disaster for Europe, and despite the fact that the majority of the Irish people have consistently shown that they see the European Union itself in a positive light, the polls are indicating that the no's are currently enjoying the upper hand. What is curious here is that all the large political parties in Ireland are actively campaigning for a 'yes' vote.
History may be repeating itself. Back in 2001, the Irish shocked Europe by rejecting the Nice Treaty in a referendum, forcing the government of the day to hold a second poll a year later to get the much needed 'yes' vote. This option, however, may not be on the cards this time round. With three negative referenda, including the 2005 French and Dutch negative votes on the European Constitution, it would seem unlikely for there to be the political will to continue with this project, at least for the time being.
There is precious little that we can do at this stage. We just have to wait for the Irish people to cast their ballots and determine our fate. Europe is today hanging on by a thread. It is up to the Irish to say whether it is to go forward or stagnate.
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The writing was on the wall. Now the Irish people have spoken. First indications show that the Irish have voting against the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
According to Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern the 'no' vote carried the day.
Where does this leave us? No doubt, Europe has once again been thrown into a crisis, and although senior European politicians, including European Commission President Barroso, are on record stating that 'there is no plan B,' a plan B of some sort is now urgently required.
From a Maltese perspective, the bottom line is that it looks very likely that this time next year we will once again be electing 5 European Members of Parliament and not 6, thus remaining as the smallest delegation within the European Parliament.
Hi Keith,
are you sure that this 6th seat depends on the treaty?
To Sandro Vella,
Unfortunately yes, the six seat has to be formally incorporated into the EU Treaty framework. It is not simply an agreement. European Parliament seat allocation are part of the Treaty.
Iva vera Keith, kien parti mit trattat, imma le ma tlifnihx
ghax dak johrog mil Lamassour-severin report u ga gie maqbul.
B'hekk zieduh fit-trattat
jigifieri jekk fadal, jghaddi mill-kunsill - f'hin li tboss nofs bassa.
Jghaddi mil-kunsill u jghaddi - dak jaqa taht il-union law.
Jekk jivvintaw il problemi ghax ikunu jridu jilghabu.
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