Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe

 

“Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe” George Washington, 1st US President (1789-97)

The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (TCE), commonly referred to as the European Constitution, was an international treaty intended to create a constitution for the European Union. It would have replaced the existing Treaties of the European Union with a single text, given limited legal force to the Charter of Fundamental Rights (which was incorporated into the Constitution), and expanded Qualified Majority Voting into policy areas which had previously been decided by unanimity among member states.

It was signed in 2004 by representatives of the then 25 member states of the European Union and needed to be ratified by all member states to enter into force. 13 member states completed the ratification procedure, but the rejection of the Constitution by French and Dutch voters in May and June 2005, called the future of the Constitution into question. In light of these developments three member states, Finland, Germany and Slovakia, abandoned their partially complete ratification procedures and a further seven member states indefinitely postponed consideration.

Following the period of reflection, the European Council meeting in June 2007 decided to start negotiations on a new reform treaty as a replacement. This treaty was later named Lisbon Treaty. It has been ratified by most member states, but has been put into question after Ireland rejected it in a June 2008 referendum.

Ratification status

 

Last modified: 7/12/2009