Treaty of Lisbon

The basic principles of the Treaty of Lisbon

The Treaty of Lisbon was built upon two main principles. The first revolves around developing a democratic Europe where decisions are made as openly and as close to the citizens as possible. The second principle is aimed at improving the effectiveness of the EU, enabling it to meet its objectives and tackle new challenges.

• The democratic principle is realized through amplified powers of the European Parliament, greater involvement of national parliaments, and citizenship of the European Union providing individuals with the ability to participate directly.

• The effectiveness principle is realized through streamlined decision-making processes, stronger role of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, and the provision for a long-term President of the European Council.

Definition: What is the Treaty of Lisbon?

When was the 2009 Treaty of Lisbon established?

The Treaty of Lisbon was signed on 13th December 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal, at the Jerónimos Monastery, a heritage site symbolic to the Age of Discoveries. Despite being signed in 2007, it only came into force on December 1, 2009, after being ratified by the member states.

The dates and location table provide a quick snapshot of basic historical information regarding the Treaty of Lisbon.

Major Alterations of the Treaty of Lisbon

The Treaty of Lisbon brought about numerous significant changes that deeply altered the landscape of European Law. These powerful modifications transformed the functioning and governance of the European Union, making it more democratic, efficient, and transparent.

Overview: What did the Treaty of Lisbon change in European Law?

The Treaty of Lisbon amended the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Rome, effectively replacing the previously failed Constitutional Treaty. These modifications resulted in profound modifications in the way the EU operates and how decisions are made.

• The European Parliament saw an increase in its legislative powers, thereby having its role as the democratic representative of the EU's citizens strengthened. Many areas that were previously decided by unanimity within the Council shifted to using the ordinary legislative procedure (formerly known as co-decision procedure).

• The treaty also introduced the concept of citizens' initiatives. This allows one million European Union citizens drawn from a significant number of member states to call on the European Commission to present a legislative proposal.

• In terms of foreign relations, the Treaty of Lisbon established the role of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This new position was granted substantial powers to align the foreign and security policies of member states.

• Moreover, the treaty brought about changes in voting procedures, with the double majority voting system being introduced in the Council to replace the previous arrangements. This new system was introduced to reflect the respective sizes of member states more accurately.

Specific outcomes of the changes in the Treaty of Lisbon

The Treaty of Lisbon's changes have led to more democratic decision-making, increased transparency, and greater efficiency in EU operations. Here's a closer look at these outcomes:

• The strengthened role of the European Parliament has brought the decision-making process closer to the citizens. By acting as the peoples' representative in the EU, Parliament has been instrumental in enhancing democratic legitimacy and transparency within the Union.

• Citizens' initiatives have empowered EU citizens to directly impact legislation. This means that EU policies and laws can now reflect the needs and wants of the people more accurately.

• With an increased role in foreign relations, the High Representative has helped the EU present a more unified front in international affairs. This not only enhances the Union's foreign policy capabilities but also strengthens its global standing.

• The implementation of the double majority voting system in the Council has ensured equitable representation. With this system, the power dynamics in decision-making have been altered, ensuring that both large and small member states have their voices heard effectively.

The Treaty of Lisbon, undoubtedly, brought pivotal modifications in EU law, proving itself as a landmark in the evolution of the European Union. Through all these changes, it has strived to build a democratic, efficient, and transparent EU where citizens' voices are heard, decisions are made openly, and policies align with the needs of the population.

Article 50 and the Treaty of Lisbon

Article 50 is a crucial clause within the Treaty of Lisbon. It holds immense importance as it provides a legal and procedural framework for any member state wishing to exit the European Union. Known as the exit clause, Article 50 came into the global spotlight during the British exit from the EU, commonly referred to as Brexit.

What is Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty?

Simply put, Article 50 outlines the process for a member state to withdraw from the European Union. It is the legal mechanism that sets out the principles and procedure to be followed if a member state decides to leave the European Union.

In the text of the Article, it states that a member can decide to withdraw in accordance with its own constitutional requirements. Afterwards, it must notify the European Council of its intention. The Union then negotiates and concludes an agreement with that state, setting out the arrangements for its exit and taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union. This agreement is concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, which authorises the opening of negotiations, adopts negotiating directives, nominates the Union negotiator, and concludes the agreement.

According to the provisions of Article 50, the EU laws continue to apply to the leaving country until a withdrawal agreement is signed or until the two-year notice period ends. This period may be extended upon the unanimous consent of the European Council.

Implications of Article 50 in the European Union

Article 50 has far-reaching implications within the European Union, particularly as it sets the legal precedent for a country's exit. The Article's activation triggers a series of events and negotiations that are both critical and complex.

• Once a member state triggers Article 50, a two-year period of negotiation begins. During this period, the leaving state and the EU will discuss the terms of departure, leading up to a withdrawal agreement detailing the conditions of exit.

• During these negotiations, the member state in question remains part of the EU and EU law continues to apply. However, it is no longer part of the decision-making processes of the Union.

• Article 50 has broader political implications, with repercussions for the balance of power within the Union. It can affect the EU's global standing, alter relationships between the remaining member states, and impact the political dynamics in the leaving country.

Notably, the exit process under Article 50 is not completely one-sided. If a country decides to cancel its exit plans during the negotiation period, it can do so — but this may only happen with the unanimous agreement of other member countries.

Article 50 thus plays a critical role within the EU's legal framework. It sets out the pathway for exiting the Union while also guaranteeing that the remaining members can proceed undisrupted, ensuring a balanced, democratic, and stable EU throughout any process of change.

Irish Rejection of the Lisbon Treaty

The ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon was an eventful journey. A significant curveball thrown at the treaty was the Irish rejection through a referendum in 2008, creating an unparalleled precedent in the journey towards its ratification.

Understanding the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty

The referendum on the Lisbon Treaty took place in Ireland on 12th June 2008. The vote resulted in Irish citizens rejecting the treaty, with 53.4% voting "No". Remarkably, Ireland was the only EU member state that held a public vote to ratify the treaty since its constitution required it. The reasons for the rejection were diverse, including misconceptions about the treaty, deep-seated mistrust of EU institutions, and concern over loss of national sovereignty.

• The misconceptions about the treaty were primarily due to a lack of understanding and misinformation. Many voters felt that the treaty was too complex, and the information provided was insufficient for them to make an informed decision.

• A deep-seated mistrust in EU institutions also played a significant role in the rejection. Concerns about increased bureaucracy and a perceived detachment of the EU from its citizens resonated with many Irish voters.

• The fear of losing national sovereignty was another reason that pushed many Irish voters towards rejecting the treaty. There were worries about the potential loss of a permanent Irish commissioner in the European Commission, and concerns about neutral Ireland potentially being dragged into a hypothetical European common defense policy.

Consequences of the Irish rejection on European Law

The rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by Ireland had far-reaching consequences for European law and the EU. It resulted in a period of uncertainty and crisis that ultimately led to changes in the communication and implementation strategies of EU laws and treaties.

• The urgency to address communication deficit was one of the foremost consequences. Post-rejection, it became clear that the EU needed to better communicate its benefits, its place in society, and the implications of its treaties and laws to the citizens.

• The need for greater democratic legitimacy and transparency also came to the forefront. It was perceived that the more citizens were involved and informed about EU's activities, the more likely they would support its initiatives, including important agreements like the Lisbon Treaty.

• Additionally, there was a delay in the planned reforms that the Lisbon Treaty was to carry out. This included the creation of the offices of the President of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The aftermath of the Irish rejection also presented an opportunity to reassess the EU's approach towards citizen engagement and participatory democracy. To avoid such rejections in future, the EU recognised the need to develop better communication strategies, to forge a stronger connection with citizens, and to ensure they are better informed, involved, and enlightened about all aspects of the EU's functioning and decision-making processes.

The Lisbon Treaty and Fundamental Rights

A critical element of the Treaty of Lisbon is its recognition and emphasis on fundamental rights. It made the EU a beacon for human rights preservation, establishing a keystone charter to enforce these rights and principles comprehensively.

The Lisbon Treaty Charter of Fundamental Rights

One of the important additions that came with the Treaty of Lisbon was the inclusion of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The Charter had been proclaimed in 2000, but it was not legally binding until it was given full legal effect by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

The Charter is of paramount importance as it centralises various rights and principles into a single document, making it easier for EU citizens to understand their rights. Its inclusion in the Lisbon Treaty enhanced the protection of fundamental rights in the EU, by making the EU and its institutions also subject to these rights.

The Charter guarantees rights under six titles:

1. Dignity, which includes the right to life, prohibition of torture and slavery.

2. Freedoms, referring to privacy and personal data protection, thought, religion, expression, assembly, education, work, and property.

3. Equality, involving non-discrimination, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity, the rights of the child and the elderly, and gender equality.

4. Solidarity, encompassing worker's rights to information, consultation, strike action, social security and assistance.

5. Citizen's rights, such as suffrage, freedom of movement and residence, diplomatic protection, and right to good administration.

6. Justice, for example, the right to an effective remedy, fair trial, presumption of innocence, principle of legality, and prohibition of retrospective criminal laws.

Main points of the Lisbon Treaty concerning Fundamental Rights

The following key points highlight how the Treaty of Lisbon puts a focus on Fundamental Rights:

• The Treaty of Lisbon annexed the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, making it legally binding and applicable not just to EU institutions, but on all 27 EU nations whenever they apply EU law. Through this, the Lisbon Treaty ensured that the implementation of EU law respects the rights, freedoms, and principles posited in the Charter.

• The Treaty of Lisbon set the pathway for the EU to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This would mean that the EU and its institutions would be subject to external scrutiny by the European Court of Human Rights, providing an extra degree of protection to fundamental rights in the EU.

• The treaty strengthens protection for personal data. It recognises the protection of personal data as a separate fundamental right, thus resulting in the development of comprehensive data protection laws in the EU.

Therefore, the Lisbon Treaty, by espousing the Charter of Fundamental Rights and setting a path for ECHR accession, has effectively ensured that the EU stands on a solid foundation of ensuring, safeguarding, and fostering human rights.