THE POST-NICE-PROCESS: TOWARDS A EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION?

Authors : Peter ZERVAKIS

Pages : 133-153

Doi:10.1501/Avraras_0000000051

View : 23 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2002-01-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The Treaty of Nice was signed on 26 February 2001 and will çome into effect after ali fifteen EU Member States have ratified it. But as ratification of an international treaty requires changes to the Irish Constitution, Ireland had to hold a referendum on the Treaty (and on three other matters) on 31 May. Though the Irish government postponed the referendum until June because of the perceived negative effects of the foot-and-mouth crisis, the majority of the Irish voters then dismissed the Treaty. This came as a surprise to the other Europeans because traditionally Ireland has been among the most committed of EU members benefiting clearly from EU membership.
Keywords : THE POST, PROCESS, EUROPEAN