Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-12-12-Speech-3-022"
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"en.20071212.2.3-022"2
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"Mr President, history tends to repeat itself. Three years ago the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was signed. The leaders of the EU Member States were greatly pleased and sure that the document would enter into force. However, two nations expressed determined opposition in referendums.
The Heads of Government are now signing an almost identical text and count on being able to avoid referendums this time round. Clearly, they underestimate this fundamental instrument of democracy. The time publicly designated as a period of reflection was wasted. Instead of being devoted to consultation, social dialogue and discussion, it was spent in devising machinery for manipulation.
It must be emphasised that the so-called Reform Treaty is a very high-ranking document, since it leads in fact to restrictions on the sovereignty of the Member States. It transfers many of the prerogatives hitherto reserved for nation states to EU institutions that are not subject to real democratic control. I am convinced that if the nations of Europe were given a voice, the treaty being signed tomorrow would share the fate of its predecessor."@en1
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