Lisbon Treaty

We Irish so often are.... This column from the Guardian makes a good point. By attacking the irish vote against the Lisbon Treaty and so quickly demanding a new referendum, European Unoin leaders probably have hardended Irish attitudes against the treaty, which represents a backdoor way to impose a new constitution in Europe. A better approach would be to respond to Irish concerns, amend the treaty, and then, humbly, try again.

That's the question posed by the Irish Times, after the defeat of the LIsbon Treaty in a referendum late this week. It's a big blow to the Irish government, which endorsed it, and to the European Union. It's not at all clear what comes next for the EU. Voters have no rejected a constitution and, in the only one of the 27 countries to permit voters to cast ballots, a treaty to replace the new, failed constitution.

Ironically, the defeat of the Irish referendum will  -- at the same time -- limit and boost direct democracy in Europe. The treaty would have provided for the first transnational referenda -- that is, a plebiscite across all the EU countries. Those hopes seem dashed now. But with the Irish rejecting the treaty, Euroskeptics across the continent now have a strong argument for demanding referenda on the treaty in their own countries. The pressure on the UK's politically lead-footed prime minster, Gordon Brown, to permit a vote is likely to grow.

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.

Today, the eve of the Irish vote on the Lisbon Treaty, Irish broadcasters honor tradition by going silent on referendum news for the day. My kingdom for a new American tradition embraced by cable news.

A "no" vote in the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty could end the dream of making the European Union a stronger political entity, Bloomberg reports. It's not clear if that's really true -- EU countries will likely attempt to renegotiate the treat -- or if true, whether that's a bad thing -- local political sovereignty can be a stabilizing force (ask the Swiss). For fans of direct democracy, the defeat of the Lisbon Treaty -- an outcome that looks likely as we approach Thursday's vote -- would mean another failure to establish the world's first "transnational referendum." A Europe-wide vote on some issues is provided for in the treaty.

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.

ANTI ABORTION BAN MAY BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL: South Dakota's attorney general suggests that if approved by voters, a November ballot initiative to ban abortion in almost all cases there could face a legal challenge. Such challenges are common, and often are successful. In California, nearly half of all inititiatves passed by voters since World War II have been invalidated at least in part by the courts. (Hat tip: ballotpedia).

DENVER COUNCIL DOESN'T WANT INITIATIVE REVIEW: In California and other initiative states, there is often talk of giving legislative bodies more of a role in reviewing initiatives before they go on the ballot. In Denver, however, the city council, which has such power, doesn't want the headache anymore. Perhaps this has something to do with the extraterrestial commission.

PROBLEMS FOR UTAH BAN ON LAND USE REFERENDA: Is Utah ban on land use referenda and initiatives constitutional? The state's attorney general thinks not.

ADDICTED TO INITIATIVES? An Oregon activist with a love of initiatives is found in contempt of court for using assets to pay for campaigns that a judge says should have gone to a fraud judgment.

IRISH REFERENDUM CLOSER: A new poll shows the Irish referendum on the new Lisbon Treaty (a backdoor new constitution for the European Union) tightening. Yes 41, No 33. Ireland is the only one of 27 EU countries permitting its voters to ratify the treaty. If the Irish say no, the entire treaty could unravel. What's important about the changes to blockbuster democracy followers? The treaty would provide for a European, trans-national referendum, the first in recorded history.

ONLY INSANE READ IRISH REFERENDUM: In related news, an Irish minister is getting some criticism for saying publicly that only the insane would read the entire treaty, a long document. Insane may be a strong word, but "rare" works. It's rare for anyone voting on a referendum anywhere to read the entire legislation or treaty before voting.

MACEDONIAN RENAME REFERENDUM? The country's prime minister thinks that voters should decide whether to change the country's name. Macedonian apparently implies some ownership by Greece.

LISBON TREATY GAINS IN IRELAND: Polling shows the Lisbon Treaty (the backdoor new constitution EU) gaining support in Ireland, the only country that is allowing its citizens to ratify the pact. (In other countries, parliaments will do it). The referendum in Ireland is June 12.

SICK JOKE OF THE WEEK: Myanmar's ruling junta claims there was a huge turnout in Saturday's referenda.

BACKFIRING IN BOLIVIA: Could a referendum on Bolivian president Evo Morales give him a boost?

URANIUM REFERENDUM IN CANADA: Conservatives in the province of New Brunswick want a referendum on uranium exploration there. The conservatives, who are in opposition, want a moratorium. 

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.