Libertas.org

1. Undemocratic and Unaccountable Process = Illegitimate Treaty

Before we even go into the specific provisions of the Lisbon Treaty and why it is bad for Ireland and bad for Europe, we must address the manner in which it has come about.

On principle:

Laeken Declaration signalled the intent of Europe’s leaders to bring the institutions closer to the citizens.  This attempted repackaging of the rejected constitution makes citizens all the more distrustful.

This Treaty is by and for the European political elites and their bureaucratic cheerleaders to preserve their bureaucratic positions and budgets. The EU offers opportunity for national politicians to blame “Europe” for their domestic failings and is leading to an ever-greater centralisation of power.  Libertas will articulate a vision for a new Europe calling on candidates in the 2009 elections to publish their proposals for reform and constitutional issues in their election manifestos so they can be judged by the people of Europe.