Lisbon at a glance: Services

Lisbon boosts EU influence in the area of services of general economic interest such as electricity and telecoms by providing a legal base to introduce framework legislation.

A protocol on services of general interest aims to clarify that national, regional and local authorities have wide discretion to provide, commission and organise public services.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights is made legally binding for all EU legislation, thereby elevating the status of workers' rights to the same level as political and civil rights.

New social clause will force the European Commission to consider the social impact of any new legislative proposals.

Decision-making at the council of ministers on international trade deals will continue to be decision by qualified majority voting.

However, any deals touching on transport or intellectual property rights, such as a WTO agreement, need the unanimous backing of states.

Any agreement in the field of social, education and health services will be decided by unanimity "where these agreements risk disturbing the national organisation of such services and prejudicing the responsibility of member-states to deliver them".

Advertisement