Democracy and the EU

Mr Romano Prodi is a major player in EU affairs as he directs the work of the European Commission, of which he is president.

Mr Romano Prodi is a major player in EU affairs as he directs the work of the European Commission, of which he is president.

When it comes to the Commission's participation in negotiating the treaties which set out the Union's mandates, Mr Prodi - like his predecessors - has a less influential role. He has a privileged view of the challenges and opportunities the EU faces, but is essentially an onlooker as its member-states, and not the Commission, make the crucial decisions.

This distinction should be borne in mind when reading the interview with Mr Prodi published in today's Irish Times. His most eye-catching remarks concern ratification and amendment of the constitutional treaty now in the final stages of negotiation. He believes any state voting against the treaty should, logically, leave the EU. And he argues that once the treaty is agreed it must be possible to alter it in the future "with some rule and a majority of citizens". Democracy, he opines, is not to obey the will of all the citizens.

Some will accept these points of view, others will be inflamed by them. The Irish ratification framework has necessitated a referendum on all EU treaty revisions since the late 1980s.

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There is much room for argument about whether representative parliaments and governments are better placed than popular referendums to ratify constitutional treaties; different states draw on distinct political and cultural traditions in deciding how to do so. Mr Prodi should reflect further on the logic involved. And why should a member-state deciding on a European issue not expect that its decision would help determine the overall outcome, rather than being given an ultimatum of accepting or leaving the Union?

There is some political merit in the suggestion that future amendments or revisions should be easier to achieve; but this would require making a clear distinction between fundamental and less important ones. The Commission has an interest in ensuring an EU of 27 - potentially 35 - states functions effectively, indeed a duty to warn us about the dangers of decision-making gridlock. Efficiency must, however, be balanced against political legitimacy.

Mr Prodi says he likes the job of leading the Commission, but believes he will not be asked to serve another term. His frank discursiveness works best in informal settings. He has been less effective in providing political leadership to the Commission or the EU as a whole.

As his term draws to a conclusion over the next six months the Irish public will see more of him during the EU presidency. It will be an onerous period for the Government and the public service, even if the constitutional treaty is concluded next week in Brussels. Mr Prodi pays tribute to Ireland's achievements in recent years, which has made this State a model of development for those which will join at a ceremony in Dublin on May 1st. His goodwill will be valuable during this time.