Lisbon Treaty

Definition

The Lisbon Treaty, formally known as the Treaty of Lisbon, is an international agreement that amends the two treaties that form the constitutional basis of the European Union. This treaty aims to enhance the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the EU, while also streamlining its decision-making processes and improving coherence in foreign policy. The Lisbon Treaty represents a significant step in the evolution of the EU's institutional framework and governance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Lisbon Treaty was signed on December 13, 2007, and entered into force on December 1, 2009.
2. One of the main innovations of the Lisbon Treaty was the creation of the position of a permanent President of the European Council, which increased continuity and stability in EU leadership.
3. The treaty also expanded the powers of the European Parliament, allowing it to co-legislate on an equal footing with the Council of the European Union on many issues.
4. It introduced changes to enhance citizens' involvement in EU decision-making, including the Citizens' Initiative, which allows citizens to propose legislation.
5. The Lisbon Treaty aimed to streamline decision-making processes by extending Qualified Majority Voting to more areas, reducing reliance on unanimous decisions among member states.

Review Questions

• How did the Lisbon Treaty change the governance structure of the European Union?
  • The Lisbon Treaty significantly altered the governance structure of the European Union by introducing a permanent President of the European Council to provide stable leadership. It also enhanced the powers of the European Parliament, allowing it to co-legislate alongside the Council on various issues. Additionally, by expanding Qualified Majority Voting to more areas, the treaty made decision-making processes more efficient and less reliant on unanimous agreements among member states.
• Discuss the implications of the Citizens' Initiative introduced by the Lisbon Treaty for democratic engagement within the EU.
  • The Citizens' Initiative introduced by the Lisbon Treaty has important implications for democratic engagement within the EU as it allows citizens to directly influence legislation. By gathering one million signatures from a significant number of member states, citizens can propose new laws or changes to existing ones. This mechanism promotes transparency and accountability by ensuring that EU institutions are more responsive to the concerns and interests of European citizens, thus fostering greater public involvement in EU policymaking.
• Evaluate how effective the Lisbon Treaty has been in addressing challenges faced by the European Union since its implementation.
  • Since its implementation, the effectiveness of the Lisbon Treaty in addressing challenges faced by the European Union can be evaluated through its impact on institutional efficiency and democratic legitimacy. While it has streamlined decision-making processes and enhanced parliamentary powers, challenges such as rising Euroscepticism and divergent national interests have persisted. Furthermore, issues like economic crises and migration continue to test EU cohesion, indicating that while the treaty laid important groundwork for reform, ongoing adaptation is necessary for effective governance amidst evolving global dynamics.

Related terms

Maastricht Treaty:

The Maastricht Treaty, signed in 1992, established the European Union and laid the foundation for the euro currency, setting a precedent for deeper integration among member states.

Treaty of Nice: The Treaty of Nice, which came into force in 2003, reformed the institutional structure of the EU to accommodate the accession of new member states and was a precursor to the Lisbon Treaty.

Qualified Majority Voting (QMV): Qualified Majority Voting is a voting system used within the EU that requires a certain number of votes from member states to pass decisions, promoting efficiency in decision-making.