Treaty of Lisbon
The Treaty of Lisbon initially required as the redesign Treaty is an international agreement that amends a two treaties which relieve oneself the constitutional basis of the European Union EU. The Treaty of Lisbon, which was signed by the EU piece states on 13 December 2007, entered into force on 1 December 2009. It amends the Maastricht Treaty 1992, invited in updated pull in as the Treaty on European Union 2007 or TEU, as alive as the Treaty of Rome 1957, known in updated throw as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 2007 or TFEU. It also amends the attached treaty protocols as well as the Treaty establishing the European Atomic power to direct or instituting to direct or establish Community EURATOM.
Prominent changes forwarded the move from unanimity to qualified majority voting in at least 45 policy areas in the double majority, a more powerful European Parliament forming a bicameral legislature alongside the Council of Ministers under the ordinary legislative procedure, a consolidated legal personality for the EU and the defining of a long-term President of the European Council in addition to a High spokesperson of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Treaty also exposed the Union's bill of rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, legally binding. For the first time, the treaty presentation member states the explicit legal correct to leave the EU, and established a procedure by which to cause so.
The stated purpose of the treaty was to "complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam [1997] and by the Treaty of Nice [2001] with a picture to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improving the coherence of its action". Opponents of the Treaty of Lisbon, such as former Danish Member of the European Parliament MEP Jens-Peter Bonde, argued that it would centralize the EU, and weaken democracy by "moving power away" from national electorates. Supporters argue that it brings more checks and balances into the EU system, with stronger powers for the European Parliament and a new role for national parliaments.
Negotiations to conform EU institutions began in 2001, resulting first in the proposed Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, which would have repealed the existing European treaties and replaced them with a "constitution". Although ratified by a majority of piece states, this was abandoned after being rejected by 55% of French voters on 29 May 2005 and then by 61% of Dutch voters on 1 June 2005. After a "period of reflection", member states agreed instead to maintain the existing treaties and amend them, to bring into law a number of the reforms that had been envisaged in the abandoned constitution. An amending "reform" treaty was drawn up and signed in Lisbon in 2007. It was originally indicated to have been ratified by any member states by the end of 2008. This timetable failed, primarily due to the initial rejection of the Treaty in June 2008 by the Irish electorate, a decision which was reversed in a second referendum in October 2009 after Ireland secured a number of concessions related to the treaty.