Constitutional Convention, European

Constitutional Convention, European A forum convened in March 2002, with a brief to devise a draft constitutional makeup of the EU. This was to recognize the dramatic growth of the EU since the 1980s, as European integration both became much deeper (e.g. through the euro) and wider (through the eventual accession of the Central and Eastern European States). The convention's constitutional brief reflected the fact that through the pronouncements of the European Court of Justice, European law had already acquired a constitutional character for the member states. Its business was directed by a nine-member Praesidium headed by a Chairman, Giscard d'Estaing, and two Vice-Chairmen ( Guiliano Amato and Jean-Luc Daehane). In addition to the Praesidium, the Convention was composed of three delegates per member state representing the executive and legislature. It also included three representatives of each of the thirteen applicant member states, though these were not allowed to vote. In addition, the Convention included sixteen members of the European Parliament and two representatives from the European Commission. The Convention agreed on a Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (18 July 2003). It proposed the adoption of a Charter of Fundamental Rights (part II), and a reduction in the number of commissioners, and more powers for the European Parliament. EU Heads of State were insufficiently enthusiastic to agree the Treaty's adoption at the Intergovernmental Conference of 2003.

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