NEWSLETTER #5
June 22, 2005
www.democracy-international.org
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Content
1) PLAN D = DICTATE ?
2) ECI: HOW TO PROCEED?
3) FUTURE OF THE EU-REFERENDUMS
4) SOUTH TYROL: STRUGGLE FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY
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1) PLAN D = DICTATE ?
After the referendums in the Netherlands and France the process to
ratify the European Constitution has suffered a serious setback.
The crisis is caused by the lack of democracy in the European
Integration process.
According to the governments, a phase of debate is now
necessary. This is called Plan D (D like ‘discussion’ or ‘democracy’).
The constitution should be debated with the citizens. At the same time
it is emphasised, that no part of the constitution must be changed.
But in a debate both sides should listen to each other and find an
agreement.
Otherwise, the Plan D stands for dictate.
From our point of view it is necessary to restart the convention
process. Two fundamental changes have to made in comparison to
the first attempt. a) The members should be elected. b) The revised
constitution should be approved by referendums in all 25 member states.
These referendums should be held simultaneously on the same day.
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2) FUTURE OF THE REFERENDUMS
During the last EU summit the head of states have decided to
interrupt the ratification process. What does this mean for the seven
referendums planned? Please find our actual overview here:
democracy-international.org/afterthesummit.html
We also offer a report on the current situation in the Czech Republic:
democracy-international.org/czechsituation.html
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3) EUROPEAN CITIZENS’ INITIATIVE: HOW TO PROCCED?
What would a failure of the constitution mean for the initiative right
included in Art. 47-4?
We are currently checking options how to proceed with the project. Is it
possible to get an initiative right even without a constitution? Which
form is appropriate? What are our expectations?
Please send your comments to Michael Efler:
michael.efler@mehr-demokratie.de
www.democracy-international.org/eci.html
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4) SOUTH TYROL: STRUGGLE FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY
In the Northern part of Italy an initiative is promoting the idea of
direct democracy. The competition to get a fair regulation is still
undecided. Please read the report by Thomas Benedikter, Bozen.
www.democracy-international.org/southtyrol.html
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Ronald Pabst / Carsten Berg
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