Posts Tagged Lisbon Treaty
A Marriage of Convenience
Posted by David Conway in European Union on 23/09/2008
Czech president Václav Klaus has said he will support Declan Ganley if he launches Libertas (the organisation which led the campaign for Ireland to vote ‘No’ to the Lisbon Treaty) as a pan-EU political party at the next European Parliament elections in 2009.
Ganley has said that he intends to transform the 2009 EP election into an ‘EU-wide referendum on the Lisbon Treaty’, therefore Klaus’ pronouncement of support could be a serious worry for Lisbon Treaty supporters because when the EP election is held in early June 2009 the Czech Republic will hold the rotating EU Presidency.
Especially for EU
Posted by Pete Quentin in Uncategorized on 10/09/2008
Valery Giscard d’Estaing explored the idea that Britain should be offered a ‘special status’ within the EU at a conference held in Westminster on Monday, writes Laura Kelleher. The former French President and author of the EU constitution reaffirmed his commitment to European integration, but suggested that British opt-out clauses should take the form of a ‘special status’ in future.
If you cannot convince them, confuse them
Posted by David Conway in European Union on 20/08/2008
Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France and current holder of the EU Presidency, is finally in the press for the right reasons. He was credited with ‘brokering’ a ceasefire between Russia and Georgia last week; a ceasefire which Russia seems to have no intention of honouring. Nevertheless, Sarkozy seems keen to capitalise on his role in the Georgia-Russia negotiations in order to push on with the agenda of the French Presidency of the EU, writes Laura Kelleher.
“No” is the new “Yes”…
Posted by Claire Daley in European Union on 21/07/2008
Ireland voted ‘No’ to the Lisbon Treaty On 13th June 2008. The ‘No’ campaign was led by single-issue pressure group Libertas whose exclusive objective was to secure a resounding ‘NO!’ to the Lisbon Treaty.
Well then, congratulations Libertas! Job done! Surely Libertas’ chairman, Declan Ganley can now return to massaging his business millions whilst enjoying the unique satisfaction of a political career that peaked in triumph (certainly a rare political achievement!) … Sadly not – because victory in European politics is rarely sweet, or straightforward…
Scrutiny and Irony
Posted by Pete Quentin in European Union on 29/01/2008
Europe Minister Jim Murphy recently gave “a guarantee that parliament can scrutinise the Lisbon Treaty” (mainly because he knows however much its members scrutinise the document they cannot amend even a single word of it and victory is assured by whip).
Could the Irish save OUR independence?
Posted by Pete Quentin in European Union on 22/01/2008
Parliament is currently debating the passing of yet more powers to the EU, through ratification of the successor treaty to the constitution, most eloquently described by Giscard d’Estaing, former French President and architect of the original document, as ‘the same letter; just in a different envelope’.