Friday October 2 2009 / Europe
Café Europe - Irish drinks! Historic night?
On 2 October the Irish people will vote for or against the Treaty of Lisbon (2007). All parliaments of the 27 member states of the EU have already approved the Treaty. However, the presidents of the Czech Republic and Poland refuse to sign. In Germany, by virtue of the German constitution the parliament must accept a law on 1 October that makes it possible to ratify the Treaty. It looks as though the vote in Ireland will be conclusive. If Ireland says yes, then an important step will have been taken in the direction of a common European future through further European cooperation. A no can have all kinds of consequences, but will certainly mean that the Treaty cannot be accepted. With the treaty of Lisbon the EU hopes to become more decisive by a greater power for the EU parliament and by taking steps towards a joint European foreign affairs policy. With the new permanent chairman for the European Council and the chairman of the European Commission, there will be a recognizable trio at the head of the EU. But to delegate parts of your own sovereignty to the EU is a theme that is sensitive to all member states.
During Café Europe we will follow the outcome of the Irish referendum. A forum, moderated by Jan Willem Sap (VU University Amsterdam) will comment on this important moment in the history of Europe and will discuss the constitutional side of the matter. The actual situation in Europe and in Ireland will no doubt influence the votes. In Ireland, which has undergone an unprecedented economic revival thanks to the membership of the EU, the crisis has caused much damage. The Irish will show with their votes how far their hope to deal with the financial crisis is focused on the EU. The big resistance in Ireland to the demolition of rights of employees will shine a light on the EU as a welfare state.
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