The redistribution of power and wealth worldwide is generating, and will generate, increasing clashes and tensions between the different areas of the world. If an alternative solution in the management of globalization will not emerge, the only possible response will be, and is already happening, a return to protectionism and trade wars and monetary issues.
Europe must have a federal government in order to be able to act and respond effectively to the fears of the European and world citizens
Europe, who lived in first person the horrors of the periods of autarky and extreme nationalism occurred in the first post-war period, has a huge responsibility to find an alternative way to manage the problems of globalization. The entire political class needs courage. Europe must have a federal government in order to be able to act and respond effectively to the fears of the European and world citizens.
A government that has the power to promote the reform of supranational institutions, which is equipped with the necessary powers for implementing policies of redistribution of wealth, market management, defence of human rights, protection of the environment.
Unfortunately, it seems that the political class has not understood the responsibility which citizens have delegated to them. The President of the Lower Chamber of Italy, Gianfranco Fini, said, before the results of the vote were official, “If Irish people say no to the Treaty of Lisbon, we will be in a situation of an unprecedented crisis for the European institutions”.
I believe that, if 1% of the population of Europe is able to block the other 99%, we are facing an unprecedented crisis of democracy. If Ireland does not ratify the Treaty of Lisbon, the Prime Ministers of the other countries should indicate that the Treaty will come into force for those countries which have ratified it.
If Ireland does not ratify the Treaty of Lisbon, the Prime Ministers of the other countries should indicate that the Treaty will come into force for those countries which have ratified it.
Ireland said NO, but the other Governments can lead immediately to the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The European parliaments should also approve, on the occasion of ratification, a resolution that commits the Governments to the relaunch of the Constitutional process at any level of the European institutions, even among a vanguard of states, if unanimity will not be possible.
The problems of European citizens need a Government that can deal with them. Wait will only feed the fears and nationalist and protectionist pushes. It is time for those who imagine a different future to shoulder their responsibility.
1. On 14 June 2008 at 08:08, by Valéry
Replying to: IRELAND: 1% HAS SAID NO!
Good article. Thank you.
2. On 14 June 2008 at 20:20, by Maurits Vande Reyde
Replying to: IRELAND: 1% HAS SAID NO!
There is one essential flaw in your argument : The concept of democracy and federalism does not entitle the majority to supress the opinion of a minority. Flemish people in Belgium can not claim their rights just because they outnumber the Francophone population. North-Rhine Westpalia does not decide for all of Germany just because they’re the most populated Länder. And in Europe, the opion of a member state counts wether they make up 1% or 50% of the population.
I firmly agree that a referendrum is not an ideal tool for milestone decisions such as the Lisbon treaty. But if we can not avoid them ,such is the case in Ireland, we can’t just wave it away by saying this No-vote does not oblige others to take it seriously. That would truly be a setback to democracy.
3. On 16 June 2008 at 11:09, by Federico Brunelli
Replying to: IRELAND: 1% HAS SAID NO!
The majority is not entitled to supress the opinion of a minority. But the minority should not be entitled to supress the opinion of a majority. If Ireland doesn not want to adopt the Reform Treaty nobody wants to oblige them to do it. But Ireland must not block the majority that wants to adpopt the Treaty and go on with integration. Let’s leave Ireland out of this Treaty, as they have voted for, and let it come into force among the majority of countries that are ratifying it!
North-Rhine Westpalia does not decide for the whole Germany. We are asking that Ireland does not decide for the whole Europe.
4. On 16 June 2008 at 17:06, by sweatsocks
Replying to: IRELAND: 1% HAS SAID NO!
You mention that the minority should not upstage the majority. But, the majority in this case has not been the European public. It is simply representative of the Governmental positions in each of those countries. It is this arrogance that has caused the publics of many EU countries to feel disenfranchised from the main arguments of the treaty...not that they have EVER been explained properly on TV or media. The Brussels ’elite’ as it is known has simply created new legislative power for itself WITHOUT the consent of its citizens. So the citizens of one country allowed to vote said no. This is exactly as it should be. Now, our highly paid and unelected body of personnel must just get back to the drawing board and create a new treaty that IS acceptable to all countries. It is difficult to do but really is a simple as that.
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