Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-10-22-Speech-3-036"
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"en.20031022.2.3-036"2
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"Mr President, Mr Berlusconi emphasised, a short while ago, and I quote, ‘the historic importance of the constitutional step we are in the process of taking’. And yet, the initial meetings of the Intergovernmental Conference give the impression that they are skirting around the subject. They are discussing with great authority and wisdom issues of institutional arrangements, which are indeed complex but ultimately of lesser importance, whilst nothing has yet been said on the most crucial issue, the principle itself of a constitution for a supreme body, which closely resembles a super State, with its supranational decision-making procedures and the absolute primacy of European law.
The Heads of State or Government are consequently sidestepping the main issue, which is: why should we have a constitution? Is it simply an operation designed to clarify the Treaties? Or is it instead an almost final stage of building the European super-State? Will this super-State meet the needs of an enlarged Europe? Would variable geometry not be a more appropriate solution?
All of these crucial issues, which are hidden from public view, must be addressed one day, we hope at least in referendums on ratifying the constitution. The further off that day is, however, Mr President, the harsher the awakening will be."@en1
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