Representatives from 18 European countries came together in Madrid on 26th January 2007 to form the “Friends of the Constitution”. They intend to push for the adoption of a major part of the draft text rejected by the French and Dutch voters, following a series of secret diplomatic discussions. Hence this attempt to isolate the two countries in order to pressure them into a change of position, and without any intention of consulting the European people. This disastrous reasoning can lead to nothing less than a backlash of nationalist feeling and a further widening of the divide that has been created across the board between Europe’s leaders and the citizens of the European Union.
Nevertheless, following the massive rejection by referendum of the draft European Constitution in 2005 by the French and Dutch people, the European Union has entered into a new phase.
For the first time in its existence, the course of the European construction process has been disrupted by the direct intervention of its citizens, in two of the founding EU countries, following an open democratic debate which gave them the opportunity to express their supreme opinion.
It is no longer possible to turn back, and yet events are unfolding as though nothing had happened. European leaders at the highest level wish to pursue the construction of the European Union without asking for the peoples' consent, and without taking into account the rejection of liberalism that they have widely voiced, hence acting against their aspirations.
We believe that, on the contrary, the backing of the European people has become a prerequisite for the construction process to continue, threatened as it is by the wave of nationalist sentiment and a growing temptation to abandon the ideal of a social and democratic model for Europe in order to accommodate the demands imposed by liberal globalization and American unilateralism.
In opposition to this approach, we propose that the European construction process be reoriented in accordance with the people’s expectations. We believe that it is now necessary to form a Constituent Parliament which will allow the EU to openly adopt the new Constitution it requires following a public debate and a universal citizens’ vote.
It is for this reason that, two months before the French Presidential elections, we have decided to organize our first seminar to promote a European Constituent Parliament. We invite all those who support this method to attend, with the common ambition of promoting the project before the European people.
TENTATIVE PROGRAMME
(may be amended by any of the European delegates)
Friday 23rd February
From 9h00 Arrival at the Senate, 15 rue de Vaugirard, Paris.
10h00 Salle Médicis, at the Senate, before a public audience (approx. 200 people)
The state of the debate in the different EU countries.
The German presidency.
The importance of the French presidential elections
as an outlet to the “NO” vote.
Speakers : Vicent Garcés, spokesman for Izquierda Socialista (PSOE, Spain) ; Andrés Perelló, MP for Valencia (PSOE, Spain) ; Martin Hantke, (Linkspartei, Germany) ; a representative of Rifondazione Communista (PRC, Italy) ; Jean-Maurice Dehousse (PS, Belgium) ; Miguel Portas, MEP (Left-Wing Bloc, Portugal) ; Henri Wehenkel (Déi Lénk, Luxembourg) ; Jan Majičék, representative of the SOK (Socialist and civic union, Czech Republic) ; a representative of Synaspismos (Greece) ; Oscar Reyes (representing TNI – Transnational Institute, Netherlands) ; delegates from PRS (Pour la République Sociale, France) ; David Soldini (representing the European Federalist Movement)…
13h00 Lunch
15h00 Salle Médicis, at the Senate
Democracy at a European level, past and future.
Session 1 : What we don’t want. The characteristics of an un-democratic institution.
Speakers : on the Convention as a precedent for the future of the EU : Michael Efler (representing Mehr Demokratie, Germany) ; on corporate lobbying in Brussels : Erik Wesselius (representing CEO - Corporate European Observatory, Netherlands).
Session 2 : What we want. Institutions made for the people, by the people : a European Constituent Parliament.
Speakers : on recent constituent experiments in Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela : Leo Gabriel (as organizer of the joint European and Latin American initiative “Enlazando Alternativas”) ; on the historical and legal background to the constituent method : François Delapierre (General Secretary of PRS) ; David Soldini (European Federalist Movement).
19h30 End of session (discussion on political resolutions over dinner for delegates who wish to contribute)
Saturday 24th February
10h00 Salle Médicis, at the Senate, before a public audience (approx. 200 people)
Interviews with the left-wing candidates at the French Presidential elections :
These sessions will take place consecutively. There will be no debate between the different candidates. Certain sessions may be programmed on the Friday depending on the candidates’ schedules.
13h00 Lunch, directly followed by a meeting of the Initiative’s “Coordinating Council” :
• Decisions on how to structure our project.
• Definition of short, mid- and long term objectives, programming of next events and meetings.
15h00 Salle Médicis, at the Senate, before a public audience
Political conclusions
With Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Senator (PS, France) and members of the Initiative for a European Constituent Parliament.
18h00 End of seminar
