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TheCouncil aEuropeanConstitution. for draft the Convention’s in provisions act behindrespective – or lag far legitimacy democratic to ability Union’s eitherthe of measured interms Nice– of Treaty the from provisions theprevailing show that will analysis The and Council, Commission. Parliament Union’s enlarged the for arrangements and interim regulations key describe the pages following the subject, the lighton some Nice.Toshed of the Treaty inherent in already than system political the in greatercomplexity even about elections, brings European upcoming by the legitimated as theEU-25, for institutions appointing and enlargement of round thecurrent completing between simultaneity The lackof of Nice Treaty Niceandint Treaty of (in effect since according tothe formula in Treaty the of Nice. *** Since 2003,162 observers from the accession countries havealreadywith taken part, seats divided portfolio. without newCommissioners 10 an to EU-25; Council thevotes in of current of the ** allocation Extrapolation effect from 1November 2004. to the Treaty of Nice*** and Copenhagen.According summit tothe decisions, respective the provisions of Treaty the will of take Nice according tothe Treaty of These provisions Nice. were su * provisions The for taking decisions in the Council the of enlarged EU enter into force on 1January 2005, for EU-25 1 February 2003) Accession of ten EP Elections for New Commission New for Elections EP ten of Accession *new members: 041My20 ue20 1November 2004 June 2004 1May 2004 2004 arrangements erim arrangements in2004 erim arrangements *alctdacrig replaces allocatedaccording ** interim h U2:Sastakes office: the EU-25: Seats perseded by the decisions of the summits in Brussels ADeadlock for Europe? TheTreaty of Nice – interim arrangements Treaty ofNice 2 2004 / 01 2003, their national parliaments named observers who take part in the sittings of the of sittings the part in take who observers named parliaments national 2003, their on 16April members new theten for Following the Treaties the signing of Accession sixto 99seats. yieldsof formula member arange allocating seats for states the among the and 626representatives, of is composed Parliament At European present the in moved already neighborshave new -the Parliament 2. TheEuropean Nice. Treaty of inthe theprovisions to preferable would beclearly solution compromise a such threshold, thepopulation raising by only beovercome can majority thedouble against , and such as states, member individual of theresistance Even if policy. to make ability Europe’s enlarged would bring to an Constitution new the that value moreclearly the shows point Noother questionable. appears basis Whether onthis an minorities. governable EU-25 will remain blocking room for greater much allow theCouncil decisionsin for provisions these population), the of 60percent more than and states themember of than half (more draft limited. to Compared in theConvention’s for the majority provided double remain will certainly action to take ability Union’s the decisions, make to EU’s ability enlarged the guarantee andCopenhagen Nice,Brussels of provisions Although the population. 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Treaty into Nice, of willenter with a votes, range from threeto29 votesfrom of weighting new 2004,the period, on this Following 1 November transition the EU-15. in current 26votes the of votes, instead 37 will require minority ablocking Conversely, during this time majority. ashaping for will berequired percent or 70.97 124votes, of October, 88 ADeadlock for Europe? TheTreaty of Nice – 3 2004 / 01 full voting rights within the Commission. within the votingrights full enjoy will Commissioners 10new the time, terms this two of months. 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TheTreaty of Nice – 5 2004 / 01 higher level of integration. of higher level a to Union European enlarged the shift would Constitution Draft Nice,however,the of Treaty the to Compared Ministers. of theCouncil of functions executive legislative and the between separation i.e.,clear legislation, for system atwo-chamber of development and Ministers of Council inthe voting majority generalized European Council, the of thePresident of andthose between Minister the tasks Foreign the of European differentiation aclearer Parliament, President, by the President’s election the European theCommission’s of politicalleadership authority in mattersof include strengthening These 2003). August Spotlight, Convention the Evaluation of Convention’s Proposals,” An Shade: and “Light (see reform from further benefit thatwould manyare areas there that clear is it draft, the Examining form. itsfinal reaching from befar would still EU the draft, constitutional Convention’s on the anagreement evenafter Furthermore, solution. atbestanunsatisfactory structure offers currenttreaty the perspective, inalong-term Nice. 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Constitution has the path that must the tread Union the itsabilities, haveof the citizens expectations that to up live itwantsto if and term, the long over action andtaking decisions making of capable remain to is Union European anenlarged If procedure. legislative the standard as Parliament European by the co-decision and introduces majority taken by qualified are decisions inwhich theareas extends draft theConvention’s Inaddition, policy. European of continuity andthe the personalization both increase Councils Ministerial inthe thechairmanship of therealignment and Minister theEuropeanForeign of office ADeadlock for Europe? TheTreaty of Nice – 6