The Treaty of Lisbon, signed on 13 December 2007 and entering into force on 1 December 2009, was an agreement aimed at reforming the European Union (EU) and its governance. Here are the key points regarding this treaty:
Background and Purpose
Key Provisions
- Legal Personality: The EU was granted legal personality, allowing it to sign international treaties in its own right.
- Qualified Majority Voting: The use of qualified majority voting in the Council of the European Union was extended to new policy areas.
- President of the European Council: A permanent President of the European Council was established to provide continuity and coherence to the EU's strategic direction.
- High Representative for Foreign Affairs: The role of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy was created to enhance the EU's role in international relations.
- Citizens' Initiative: EU citizens were given the right to petition the European Commission to propose legislation if they can gather one million signatures from at least a quarter of member states.
- Subsidiarity and National Parliaments: National parliaments were given a role in ensuring compliance with the principle of subsidiarity, where decisions should be taken as closely as possible to the citizen.
Impact and Reception
- The treaty was ratified by all member states, but the process was contentious in some countries, particularly Ireland, where a first referendum rejected the treaty in 2008, leading to a second successful vote in 2009 after certain assurances were given.
- While some hailed the treaty as a step towards a more unified EU, critics argued it could lead to a loss of national sovereignty and increase bureaucratic complexity.
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