On the process of European integration with the constitutional crisis of the European Union as an example.

EU Constitutional Crisis and the Process of European Integration

Wu Yikang

Constitution-making is the only way for European political integration and an important achievement of EU's eastward expansion. After more than three years of top-down brewing, consultation and extensive discussion, the text of the European Constitutional Treaty has been carefully formulated, which basically reflects the mainstream thinking of European political elites, is the crystallization of compromise and reconciliation of the interests and needs of the 27 member States and candidate countries of the European Union, and can become an unprecedented legal document with the dual characteristics of constitutionality and international treaties in the implementation of regional governance in Europe at this stage. If the EU Constitutional Treaty is ratified and takes effect, it can be used for at least ten years in the supranational EU system and mechanism, which is undoubtedly a milestone in the institutional innovation of EU regional governance model.

From May to June, 2005, France and the Netherlands voted against the European Constitutional Treaty, which led to a constitutional crisis in the EU and delayed the ratification process of the European Constitutional Treaty. The so-called "EU political earthquake" has caused great shock both inside and outside the EU. Some people think that the European Constitutional Treaty has been declared dead, some people judge that the EU will be paralyzed, and some even threaten that the collapse of the euro will be affected. Even Popo's European integration will regress to the free trade area model. There are all kinds of alarmists and doubts. How to understand and judge this EU constitutional crisis? What impact will it have on the process of European integration? What is the future direction of EU integration? This paper makes a brief comment in order to teach colleagues.

One,

Judging from the development law of European integration, this crisis is a serious setback for EU integration. It will not affect the normal operation of the current EU, nor will it lead to the suspension and reversal of integration. The crisis reflects a concentrated outbreak of potential conflicts in EU integration, fully exposes the serious gap between elite Europe and citizen Europe, and directly attacks the blueprint and optimistic process of EU enlargement planned by European political elites. European integration has been dominated by elite Europe for more than half a century. It felt the pressure of "democratic deficit" and put forward the task of building a civil Europe. However, the lack of sufficient public opinion in this constitution-making exposed the shocking gap between elite Europe and civil Europe, which made the political elites clearly realize that they have always regarded themselves as spokesmen of public interests and can represent public opinion. The crisis reveals the "endorsement crisis", widens the potential gap, and makes them realize the urgency and necessity of seriously summarizing and deeply reflecting, and should make great efforts to coordinate and effectively handle the fundamental traditional contradiction of expanding and deepening integration. Therefore, from the perspective of the sustained and healthy development of EU integration, the crisis is not necessarily a bad thing. Deep reflection on what kind of new Europe to build provides an opportunity for organically combining elite Europe with citizen Europe, further strengthening rectification, adjustment and overall coordination, and making EU integration more stable, solid and healthy, which will be more conducive to building a truly sustainable, balanced, coordinated and more in line with the characteristics of the times.

We must not misjudge the EU constitutional crisis as a general suspicion and denial of European integration, nor should we be too pessimistic and negative about the crisis. This is based on the current world economic and political situation, such as the accelerated development of globalization, the trend of regional integration worldwide, the increasingly fierce international competition and the accelerated differentiation and reorganization of the international power structure. Imagine that European countries can only protect themselves and strengthen themselves if they unite. No EU member or candidate can benefit from the paralysis and collapse of the EU, and denying EU integration will lose Europe's position and role in today's world. All EU countries, including Britain, are soberly aware of this.

Of course, the process of European integration has never been smooth sailing. Monet once said: "Europe will be established in crisis." More than 20 years ago, the author specially studied and demonstrated various crises in Europe, arguing that "intensified contradictions and frequent setbacks often lead to crises, threatening the foundation, basic achievements or normal operation of the same body ... History has proved that the same body can survive the crisis again and again, get rid of the crisis and move on along the road of integration ... It seems that Europe is doomed to suffer. (1) History is a mirror. It is predicted that this constitutional crisis will turn for the better as usual. Only through the concerted efforts of Qi Xin, a member state, can we find a way out of compromise and win-win, and the EU can be reborn.

Second,

This constitutional crisis not only has deep roots, but also involves a series of fundamental issues such as the nature, direction, objectives, borders, model and future of the European Union, as well as complicated and overlapping contradictions and differences. A serious summary and profound reflection will inevitably lead to a big discussion and debate with wide coverage, complex content and fierce and diverse forms. The balance of ideas and concepts, the balance of interests, makes new and old member States, large and small member States, different groups

The contradiction between sports and regions is difficult to coordinate easily, and the relief of the crisis is by no means a short-term thing. The EU will

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(1) World History, No.7, 1986.

Enter the wandering period of political exploration and interest adjustment.

The root of the crisis comes from social and economic problems, and the key to alleviating the crisis also depends on the economic situation to some extent. As far as the matter is concerned, the fuse of the constitutional crisis stems from a considerable number of citizens in France and the Netherlands who are dissatisfied with the status quo and worried about the prospects of social economy and welfare protection such as unemployment and immigration. From the basic background, many countries in the European Union, including France and the Netherlands, have been in recession for many years, and their financial and economic conditions are in trouble. From the government to the ordinary people, they have become preoccupied with shallow gains and losses, leading to frequent contradictions and disputes. Generally speaking, integration always comes at a price, and compromise is easier to win if you are tolerant and generous. The history of European integration shows that when the economic situation is prosperous, the people are rich and have sufficient financial resources, the pace of integration will be smooth and the development will be fast; When the economic situation is stagnant and contradictions are entangled, the pace of integration is blocked and the progress is slow, which seems to be a law. At present, it is no accident that integration is not conducive to radical and rash actions, and the constitutional crisis is also linked to the financial budget crisis. Whether the crisis can be solved depends not only on the wisdom, ability and courage of political elites, but also on whether the economic situation of EU countries can get out of the downturn and improve the financial situation of some countries. Promoting the process of integration requires a strong economic impetus, especially in times of crisis.

An important principle of European integration is to pursue balance, pay attention to balance and coordination. This constitutional crisis has aroused the profound reflection of political elites, and it is impossible to avoid the question of whether the EU enlargement is going too fast, too fast and too far. Therefore, getting rid of the crisis will inevitably affect the planning and implementation process of the EU's eastward expansion, and it will also be restricted and affected in the border and speed of further expansion. Building a truly new Europe is a long and arduous grand undertaking. At the critical moment, we should pay attention to the balance and checks and balances in all aspects and require more in-depth and meticulous coordination and adjustment. From a long-term and fundamental point of view, it is not necessarily a frustrating bad thing to stop and make adjustments and coordination. Awakened a "big European dream", made the big Europe more realistic, and made the system and mechanism of the new Europe more coordinated and effective. To take a step back is to take two steps, at least for better progress.

This crisis will also have a great impact on the political reorganization of France, the geopolitical changes in Europe, and even the relations between Europe, Russia and Europe and the United States, and may promote a new political reshuffle, which will not be discussed in detail here.

Third,

The constitutional crisis in the EU is very important. The outbreak of the crisis has triggered many discussions about the future of the EU, which is not only reasonable, but also possible and necessary. European integration has gone through more than half a century, which is only a moment in the long river of history. European integration still has a long and tortuous road to go. In fact, strictly speaking, a series of fundamental questions about the goal, nature, boundary and mode of the EU have never been clearly concluded. Many aspects were controversial and obvious from the beginning. European elites may be forced to be vague and deliberately create ambiguity, which may be conducive to shelving disputes and facilitating compromise. Therefore, it is not surprising that the EU has a chance to have a heated debate on these basic issues. It can be expected. With the development of European integration and the enlargement of the European Union, these disputes and differences will continue. The same is true of the disputes and differences caused by the constitutional crisis, which is likely to increase more uncertainty. This situation is difficult and inconvenient to solve. Perhaps it is precisely because of these disputes and differences that European integration can continue to grow and advance step by step. Based on various conditions, it is difficult for the author to further elaborate on these issues, and only talk about some superficial personal understanding and judgment on some signs and outstanding problems caused by the recent constitutional crisis.

This crisis has intensified the struggle for dominance within the EU. The crisis dealt a heavy blow to Chirac's power position. In recent years, the axis between France and Germany has become loose, and France and Germany are facing regime change. It is even more difficult for Chirac and Schroeder to make great achievements. In this situation, it is conceivable that the British presidency is a good opportunity for Blair to show his talents. It doesn't matter if Britain takes power, but at least Britain will try to play an active leading role in the past six months or even longer, win over like-minded people and try to influence the direction of EU integration. In the process of division and reorganization of core Europe, the original Franco-German axis is difficult to adapt to the new situation in Europe, and the power combination will change. How to find the best member of core Europe? There may be a new play to sing.

This crisis has profoundly exposed various imbalances within the EU. As the number of member countries increases, coordination will become more and more difficult. The reform of EU's operational mechanism is likely to provide legal convenience for multi-speed Europe. A big Europe may necessarily need to be based on multi-speed Europe, which will be the way for a new Europe to survive and develop.

It is irreversible that the crisis has not denied the EU, blocked integration and blocked the process of European integration. However, the real solution of this constitutional crisis still needs quite difficult years. If the crisis can be regarded as an opportunity and a driving force for change, then the recent years will undoubtedly be a very critical period for the development of the EU integration process. Handled well, the EU has broad prospects and enhanced internal cohesion and external radiation. If it is not handled well, the EU may fall into a trough for several years.