The Convention on the Future of Europe and The EU's "Democratic Deficit"
Abstract
In the aftermath of the rejection of the Treaty of Nice by the Irish electorate on June 7, 2001, most European leaders agreed with Irish Prince Minister Bertie Ahern's conclusion that this defeat demonstrated a "widespread sense of disconnection" between the European Union and its citizens. Many Irish political observers, however, viewed the negative result as due more to the absence of a strong public relations campaign on behalf of the Treaty. An EU-sponsored poll tended to support this view, concluding that apathy/abstention rather than opposition was to blame. How do you interpret the Irish vote? What needs to be done to improve the chances that the Irish voters will support the Treaty in the next referendum? Was the recent election of Irish MEP Pat Cox as President of the European Parliament designed as a sop to Irish voters? When do you foresee a new referendum being held?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA442416
Entities
People
- Alexander H. Margulies
Organizations
- National War College