European Union

Irish Considering Second Vote Next Year

Joe Mathews — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:42:00 -0400

The Irish opposed the ratification of the new Lisbon Treaty for the European Union this spring. Now the government, under heavy European pressure, is considering a second referendum for next year. Why would Ireland, the only country to permit its citizens to vote directly on the treaty, change its mind? The carrot seems to be a promise that Ireland would always retain a commissioner on a major EU body. Now, countries temporarily lose their commissioner as membership rotates.

Look Out, Ireland. Here Comes Sarko

Joe Mathews — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:02:00 -0400

French president, and new EU president, Nicolas Sarkozy has announced a timetable for moving forward with the Lisbon Treaty, a new reform plan for the European Union that Ireland -- the only country to permit its citizens to vote on ratification -- rejected last month. There weren't many details, but from what Sarko said last week, he won't change the treaty and seems to be counting on bullying the Irish into changing their minds. Sarko is traveling to Ireland next week to begin the arm-twisting. Memo to the people of Ireland: French diplomacy is on the way. Brace yourselves.

On a related note, the Irish Times has an interesting piece raising the question of whether a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty was really necessary under Ireland's constitutional. The notion that such a vote was a constitutional requirement has been reported over and over -- including on this blog -- as fact. But the argument of this new piece is that the treaty doesn't have an impact on Irish sovereignty and thus didn't need to be submitted to the people.

ASP In the News | July 7-9

Ian McAllister — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:58:00 -0400

Democracy Arsenal (07/08) cites Parag Khanna on the rise of the E.U.
The Las Vegas Sun (07/07) quotes Sherle Scwhenninger on the dire state of the housing market.
New York Times (07/07) features Michael Cohen discussing Obama's stance on patriotism.
Washington Post (07/06) quotes Peter Bergen on Al Qaeda's continuing decline.
Sify (07/02) features Jeffrey Lewis analyzing India's nuclear strategy.

How Irish Referendum Felled Austrian Government

Joe Mathews — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:12:00 -0400

If an Irish butterfly flaps its wings, does it start a storm in Austria? Apparently so. Direct democracy is so powerful that a vote in one country can topple governments in others. Austria's coalition government collapsed today, a victim -- at least in part -- of last month's Irish "no" vote on a referendum over the Lisbon Treaty, a back-door new constitution for the European Union.

What's the link? After Ireland, the only one of the 27 EU countries to permit a public referendum on the treaty, voted it down, Austrian Prime Minister Alfred Gusenbauer said that future EU treaties should be subject to referenda there in Austria. The right of center Austrian People's Party, which was part of the Social Democrat Gusenbauer's governing coalition, opposes such referenda and decided -- for this and other reasons -- to leave the government.

Shhhh.... the Irish Are Voting

Joe Mathews — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:36:00 -0400

While Europe watches nervously. Here's an informative Q&A from the Guardian explaining the details.

Today is the day of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, the backdoor new constitution -- though it can't be called a new constitution because that would require too many other public votes -- being adopted by the EU. There are 27 countries that signed the treaty. But only in Ireland do the people get to vote on it. So the Irish have outsized power today -- they are the voice of the people of Europe. If they vote the treaty down, they can scuttle the whole thing.

The political leadership of the country supports the treaty. But nationalists think it infringes on sovereignty. And Irish farmers, one of the few industries that the EU hasn't benefited, are leading the charge against it. Polls suggest the treaty is in trouble--the final results are likely to be close.

Poll: "No" Vote Gaining Fast In Irish Referendum

Joe Mathews — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:53:00 -0400

A referendum on ratifying the Lisbon Treaty had been leading handily, but support is collapsing in the final days before the June 12 vote. The Irish vote is critical to the future of Europe. ireland is the only one of the 27 signatories to the treaty, which establishes new rules to govern the EU, permitting its citizens to vote directly. If Ireland votes it down, the entire treaty likely would be a dead letter.

More Referenda in Europe?

Joe Mathews — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:46:00 -0400

The issue of how and when to admit new members to the European Union is stirring more controversy. France and its president have objected to Turkey, arguing that the country does not belong culturally or economically in Europe. This week, the French national assembly voted in favor of a resolution calling for a popular referendum on any new members to the EU.

ASP in the News | May 26-28

Ian McAllister — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:39:00 -0400

The New Republic (05/28) features Peter Bergen analyzing the jihadist revolt against Osama Bin Laden.
Afrik.com (05/27) cites Steve Clemons on purges occurring in the Obama and McCain campaigns.
NewsHour (05/27) interviews Flynt Leveret on U.S. engagement with Iran.
Tehran Times (05/25) mentions Steve Clemons on negotiations with Hamas.
The Globalist (05/23) features Parag Khanna discussing the growing international influence of the E.U.

From Our Foreign Bureaus: Sarkozy Will Seek Turkey Vote

Joe Mathews — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:37:00 -0400

'THE AMERICAN' WANTS TURKEY REFERENDUM: Frenc h President Sarkozy continues to oppose allowing Turkey to join the European Union. Now he says that he's prepared to call a referendum in his country on whether to support it.

THE WORST REFERENDUM IN THE WORLD: The Burmese have arrested about 60 people who dared to campaign for the "no" side in the sham May 10 constitutional referendum being staged by the military junta there. The rules for the vote mock all notions of fairness and democracy. Domestic media also were formally barred from reporting on the referendum this week.

CAYMAN CONSTITUTION: The Cayman Islands is planning a new constitution, and that could require multiple votes by the public.

From Our Foreign Bureaus: A World Democracy Forum?

Joe Mathews — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 18:47:00 -0400

A WORLD DEMOCRACY FORUM: Bruno Kaufmann of the Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe contacted me recently with an update on his efforts to convene people from all over the world to talk about and study direct democracy. Bruno is working hard to establish a World Democracy Forum that includes tours, workshops, panels and other events. Watch this blog for more details as they become available. It looks like there may be events in Switzerland and the United States this fall.

KIRKUK REFERENDUM? The Economist takes a look at what might happen in the Iraqi province of Kirkuk if a promised June referendum takes place. Direct democracy is a blunt instrument, and a referendum could lead to more violence.

NOTHING TO SEE HERE: The European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso was in Dublin this week to reassure the Irish that the new Lisbon Treaty will not cost them control over tax rates. Ireland is the only EU country holding a public referendum on the treaty. It's scheduled for June 12, and Barroso predicted the "eyes of Europe" will be on the island nation.

UKRAINE NEEDS MORE THAN A VOTE: A referendum is not enough to change the Ukraine constitution, according to the head of its constitutional court.