In June 2005 the French and Dutch electorates rejected the new European Constitution which plunged Europe into crisis and left its leaders scrambling for an ade... » 

In June 2005 the French and Dutch electorates rejected the new European Constitution which plunged Europe into crisis and left its leaders scrambling for an adequate response. This book helps to better understand that ironically the new Constitution would improve the European Union on many of the points on which it is criticised by the NO campaign. In fact the Constitution would not create a faraway undemocratic superstate run by uncontrolled technocrats. It would not prejudge political choices on the socioeconomic model in Europe or on the accession of Turkey . It would not favour further delocalistion of economic activity resulting in massive job losses. On the contrary the Constitution would simplify the existing treaties and clarify the division of competences between the Union and its Member States . It would increase the democratic legitimacy of the Union and ensure more political judicial financial and mediacontrol over European decisionmaking. It would place Citizens rights and freedoms at the hart of the integration process and allow the Union to better address Citizens concerns over jobs ageing and security. Europe could more firmly assert its unique identity on the world stage and press on with its non militarist integrated security strategy. In short in this book a selection of well placed authors who as political and judicial leaders Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt and Foreign Affairs Minister De Gucht former Commissioner Vitorino European Court Judge Lenaerts Union officials Devuyst van Thiel Martenczuk Lewis and academics De Schouwer De Hert Biscop Gerard know Europe from the inside analyse and explain how the Constitution would contribute to a more efficient and democratic Europe that would be better equiped to face the challenges of a globalising world. «