EU institutions & treaties
The French, the European Commission and the Tories
29 January 2009
One Frenchman, Jean Monnet, invented the European Commission, and another, Jacques Delors, was its greatest president. Yet the French are increasingly hostile to this Brussels institution.
What the summit says about the EU
16 December 2008
The EU summit on December 10th-11th 2008 was a success in so far as EU leaders managed to agree on all major agenda items. The fact that there was a lot of bitter wrangling and a big dose of compromise was only to be expected against the backdrop of a rapidly worsening European economy.
The Irish send out good vibrations on Lisbon
08 December 2008
Ireland’s parliament – the Oireachtas – recently published a lengthy report on where the country’s relationship with the EU stands after the country’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty by referendum.
How the Irish government might save Lisbon
01 December 2008
The financial crisis is altering political and economic fortunes everywhere. It may have yet another, unlikely, outcome: the ratification of the Lisbon treaty, rejected by Ireland in a referendum last June.
Issue 63 - 2008
28 November 2008
- The EU's fleeting chance for global leadership, Charles Grant
- The EU's climate agenda hangs in the balance, Simon Tilford
- How the Irish government might save Lisbon, Hugo Brady
The Commission's economic forecasts are still too complacent
07 November 2008
On the face of it, it appears churlish to accuse the Commission of complacency when it is forecasting no growth in the eurozone economy in 2009 and a deep recession in the UK.
How a new Irish government might save Lisbon
24 October 2008
The financial crisis is challenging many of our assumptions about the course of politics and world affairs. Gordon Brown – only weeks ago portrayed as nearing the end of his time as UK prime minister – has been elevated to European, even global leadership status.
Three scenarios for the Lisbon treaty
01 August 2008
Eurosceptics make a good point when they argue that the EU should concentrate on external challenges like climate change, energy security, migration and global trade. But Ireland’s vote against the Lisbon treaty means that the EU now has to devote more time and energy to sorting out its rules and institutions. Those who urge the EU to look outwards but celebrate the Irish No are inconsistent and hypocritical.
Issue 61 - 2008
25 July 2008
- Three scenarios for the Lisbon treaty, Charles Grant
- A new European mercantilism?, Simon Tilford
- The next US president should forget the League of Democracies, David Hannay
The CER guide to the French presidency
04 July 2008
France's EU presidency was always going to be ambitious, with wideranging plans for climate change, immigration and defence. Now, however, France will have to focus on resolving the legal and institutional mess created by the Irish No to the EU's Lisbon treaty. President Nicolas Sarkozy will struggle to save the...
Tough choices to avoid euro-paralysis
19 June 2008
The Irish did the wrong thing for the right reasons in their referendum on the Lisbon treaty. Voters rejected an international treaty, the benefits of which did not seem to merit a change to the country's constitution.
Will the Irish guillotine Lisbon?
04 June 2008
On 12 June 2008 Ireland will hold the EU's only referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. With the campaign entering its decisive phase, polls indicate that the vote could be dramatically close with turnout determining the result.
Applicants sought for new Council president
01 April 2008
Are you bright, agreeable, and good with languages? Do you have a track record of running an EU country? Are you looking for a new opportunity to work with European and world leaders? Then we, the EU’s heads of state and government, would like to hear from you.
The Lisbon treaty,...
The Lisbon treaty,...
Issue 59 - 2008
28 March 2008
- Liberal reforms are no threat to social Europe, Philip Whyte
- For a new Iran policy, Christoph Bertram
- Applicants sought for new Council president, Hugo Brady
The new politics of EU internal security
28 March 2008
EU interior ministers are racing to finish a raft of new legislation on terrorism, crime and illegal immigration by the end of the year. One reason for their sudden sense of urgency is politics.
Bad omens loom over Irish referendum
01 February 2008
Ireland's voters have a crucial decision to make on the future of the EU – in May or June this year – when they vote in the only referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon.
Issue 58 - 2008
25 January 2008
- My five ideas for Europe's future, Nick Butler
- Bad omens loom over Irish referendum, Hugo Brady
- Poland’s bold new foreign policy, Charles Grant
The CER guide to the Reform Treaty
17 October 2007
European leaders will meet in Lisbon this week to reach final agreement on the EU's new 'Reform Treaty'. The main objective is to make the enlarged Union work better, streamline the EU's foreign policy machinery and facilitate co-operation for fighting crime and terrorism.
Yes to a referendum, but not on this treaty
01 October 2007
Britain is divided over the EU’s new Reform Treaty. The eurosceptic lobby is ratcheting up a well-funded, media-savvy campaign to pressure the government into holding a referendum on the treaty.
Issue 56 - 2007
28 September 2007
- What should Europe do about sovereign wealth funds?, Katinka Barysch, Philip Whyte
- Yes to a referendum, but not on this treaty, Hugo Brady
- Transatlantic relations after Bush, Kori Schake