Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002195/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)
Since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Treaties can be revised by simplified procedure (Article 48(6) of the Treaty on European Union), without needing to convene a convention or have the changes ratified by referendum in most Member States.
However, there is now talk of using this procedure for several proposals aimed at profoundly altering the institutional balance of the EU (abolition of unanimity, transfer of powers in tax, social or defence matters), without any direct public consultation.
These practices run counter to the fundamental principle of democracy and risk making people more mistrustful of the EU, particularly in the founding Member States such as France.
In view of the above:
- 1.Does the Commission consider this method to be consistent with the principle of sovereignty of the Member States?
- 2.Does it support the idea of making public consultation, via referendum, mandatory in the event of a substantial change in the Treaties?
- 3.What guarantees can it offer to ensure that any major development in European integration is democratically approved by the populations concerned?
Submitted: 2.6.2025