As the German Chancellor struck a deal for the Constitutional Treaty to be ratified as the “Reform Treaty”, an EU-wide petition for Referenda was launched at X09.eu.

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23.06.2004 - Saturday: The EU Summit in Brussels ended on a happy note for German Chancellor Merkel as an early morning deal was struck to change the Constitutional Treaty into the “Reform Treaty” by 2009. The Reform Treaty would amend the existing treaties to “introduce… the innovations resulting from the 2004 IGC” (i.e., the Constitutional Treaty).

Words and symbols are changed to accommodate public perception, e.g. “High Representative”, instead of ‘foreign minister’. The anthem, flag, motto and the word “constitution” are removed. The “Reform Treaty” would also give the Union a “single legal personality”.

The deal was struck with some opt-outs and concessions to the UK, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and France. But Poland, which had insisted that the Nice Treaty voting system is retained, succumbed to pressure and agreed to a 3-year transition phase starting from 2014 when both the present voting system and the new double qualified majority system (based on 55 percent of member states and 65 percent of the EU population) will be used. The new system takes effect from 2017.

“The one who wins in these kinds of situations is the one with the strongest nerves,” said Polish president Lech Kaczynski after the talks.

The new Treaty would be ratified by the national parliaments before the 2009 European elections. No referendums are envisaged. Ireland and Denmark, which require a referendum on such Treaties are considering whether to interpret the legal aspects in a way that would help them avoid having to hold a referendum.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was pleased with the outcome, expressing satisfaction that “much of the substance [of the Constitutional Treaty] has been maintained”.

By Kevin Ellul-Bonici @ Plan D Campaign and X09.eu Constitution Timeline