Concepts and Goals of Constitution

December 2003: EU leaders assembled in Brussel were unable finalise the Draft of Constitution prepared by IGC.While apparent reason was the row about the QMV both small and large states have issues with the current version.

Here is critique of issues, which surfaced after the failure:

- It was an ttempt to set the Social Agenda which is not proper role of constitution and possibly perogative of the member states.
- Charter of Human rights, may be too extensive for ambiguous some member states and citizens.According to some it is a a 'Laundry List of rights' which requires the states to create two classes of citizenry - the donors and the recievers.
- While draft is too restrictive in minor areas such as artificial organs,it is not resolving basic issues such as common defense and foreign policy,
- Ambiguity of rules.

For example, the 'digressive voting weights' for election of parlament are not defined. Setting such rules is one of basic functions of a constitution. While a [http://www.uni-konstanz.de/ppm/EU.pdf specific function was proposed] it did not made into the final draft.

- Obtuse language, which nobody understands, such as Article III-6, which says:

"Without prejudice to Articles III-55, III-56 and III-136, and given the place occupied by services of general economic interest as services to which all in the Union attribute value as well as their role in promoting social and territorial cohesion, the Union and the Member States, each within their respective powers and within the scope of application of the Constitution, shall take care that such services operate on the basis of principles and conditions, in particular economic and financial, which enable them to fulfil their missions. European laws shall define these principles and conditions."