NEWSLETTER #5

June 22, 2005

www.democracy-international.org

 

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Content

 

1) PLAN D = DICTATE ?

2) ECI: HOW TO PROCEED?

3) FUTURE OF THE EU-REFERENDUMS

4) SOUTH TYROL: STRUGGLE FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY

 

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1) PLAN D = DICTATE ?

 

After the referendums in the Netherlands and France the process to

ratify the European Constitution has suffered a serious setback.

The crisis is caused by the lack of democracy in the European

Integration process.

According to the governments, a phase of debate is now

necessary. This is called Plan D (D like ‘discussion’ or ‘democracy’).

The constitution should be debated with the citizens. At the same time

it is emphasised, that no part of the constitution must be changed.

But in a debate both sides should listen to each other and find an

agreement.

Otherwise, the Plan D stands for dictate.

 

From our point of view it is necessary to restart the convention

process. Two fundamental changes have to made in comparison to

the first attempt. a) The members should be elected. b) The revised

constitution should be approved by referendums in all 25 member states.

These referendums should be held simultaneously on the same day.

 

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2) FUTURE OF THE REFERENDUMS

 

During the last EU summit the head of states have decided to

interrupt the ratification process. What does this mean for the seven

referendums planned? Please find our actual overview here:

 

democracy-international.org/afterthesummit.html

 

We also offer a report on the current situation in the Czech Republic:

democracy-international.org/czechsituation.html

 

 

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3) EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ INITIATIVE: HOW TO PROCCED?

 

What would a failure of the constitution mean for the initiative right

included in Art. 47-4?

We are currently checking options how to proceed with the project. Is it

possible to get an initiative right even without a constitution? Which

form is appropriate? What are our expectations?

 

Please send your comments to Michael Efler:

michael.efler@mehr-demokratie.de

 

www.democracy-international.org/eci.html

 

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4) SOUTH TYROL: STRUGGLE FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY

 

In the Northern part of Italy an initiative is promoting the idea of

direct democracy. The competition to get a fair regulation is still

undecided. Please read the report by Thomas Benedikter, Bozen.

 

www.democracy-international.org/southtyrol.html

 

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Ronald Pabst / Carsten Berg

 

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