EU legitimacyEU's Rubik's cubeGermany & the EU
  • Can national parliaments make the EU more legitimate?
    Insight by Charles Grant, 10 June 2013
    Can national parliaments make the EU more legitimate?
  • The EU's Rubik's cube: Who will lead after 2014?
    Insight by Hugo Brady, 03 April 2013
    The EU's Rubik's cube: Who will lead after 2014?
  • Germany’s plans for treaty change – and what they mean for Britain
    Insight by Charles Grant, 28 March 2013
    Germany & Treaty change
  • The EU constitutional treaty: The final deal
    Briefing note by Aurore Wanlin, 25 June 2004

    EU leaders finally reached agreement on the EU's new constitutional treaty at their Brussels summit on 18 June 2004. Although the summit was marked by a series of acrimonious exchanges, particularly between Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair, EU leaders were determined to agree the new treaty, following the embarrassing collapse of their previous summit in December 2003.
  • The EU constitutional treaty: The state of play ahead of the summit
    Briefing note by Aurore Wanlin, 03 June 2004

    European leaders gather in Brussels on 17-19 June 2004 for a 'make or break' summit on the EU's new constitutional treaty. The last time they tried, at the EU summit in December 2003, they failed to agree on the details of the document.

  • If Britain votes no ...
    Bulletin article by Charles Grant, 01 June 2004

    Some people claim to know what will happen if a British referendum defeats the European constitutional treaty. Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, points out that the treaty cannot enter into force unless it is ratified by every member-state.
  • An unstable house? Reconstructing the European Commission
    Working paper by Alasdair Murray, 05 March 2004

    For fifty years, the Commission has not only overseen the EU's day-to-day functioning, it has also often led the debate on the Union's direction and future. However, over the last decade or so, the Commission has lost much of its credibility.
  • The EU budget: Common future or stuck in the past?
    Briefing note by Iain Begg, 06 February 2004

    The EU's common budget is small and rather rigid. Most of its outlays are determined years in advance, and most of them go on just two policies, namely support for farmers and poorer regions. Yet the EU budget invariably attracts acrimonious debate and close scrutiny out of all proportion to its economic significance.

  • Should Britain hold a referendum on the EU Constitution?
    Bulletin article by Steven Everts and Charles Grant , 01 January 2004

    Dear Charles,
  • After the Brussels summit: What next for the EU?
    Briefing note by Charles Grant, , 16 December 2003

    The manner and speed at which the Brussels European Council collapsed took most observers by surprise. Heads of state and government had arrived on the morning of Friday 12 December 2003, expecting negotiations to last until late on Sunday 14.
  • The CER guide to the Brussels summit
    Briefing note by Charles Grant, , 05 December 2003

    It is six months since the European Convention, a gathering of parliamentarians, government representatives and experts, presented its draft for an EU constitutional treaty. Since November, the EU governments – the current 15, plus the ten due to join on 1 May 2004 – have been negotiating a revision of this draft, in an 'inter-governmental conference' (IGC).