Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe facts for kids

The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (often called the European Constitution or Constitutional Treaty) was a special agreement. It was meant to create a set of rules, like a constitution, for the European Union (EU).

This treaty would have replaced many older agreements that guide the European Union. It would have put all those rules into one single document.

Representatives from the 25 countries that were part of the European Union at the time signed the treaty on October 29, 2004. After signing, 18 of these countries officially approved it.

However, people in France and the Netherlands voted against the treaty. Because of their votes, the treaty was not approved and never became law.

What Was the European Constitution?

The European Constitution was a plan to make the rules for the European Union simpler. It aimed to bring together many different treaties that already existed. Think of it like trying to put all the rules for a big club into one easy-to-read book.

Why Was a New Treaty Proposed?

The European Union had grown a lot over the years. Many different treaties had been signed over time. This made the rules complex and sometimes hard to understand. Leaders wanted to create a single, clear document. This new document would make the EU work more smoothly and be easier for everyone to understand.

What Would It Have Changed?

The proposed constitution aimed to make the EU's decision-making process more efficient. It also wanted to give the EU a clearer voice on the world stage. It would have changed how the EU's different parts, like the European Commission and the European Parliament, worked together.

Signing and Approval Process

The journey of the European Constitution involved many steps. First, leaders from all the EU countries had to agree on the text. Then, each country had to approve it in their own way.

When Was It Signed?

The treaty was officially signed on October 29, 2004. This happened in Rome, Italy. Leaders from the 25 countries that were members of the EU at that time gathered to sign the document.

How Countries Approved It

After signing, each country had to approve the treaty. This process is called ratification. Some countries approved it through their parliaments. Other countries held a special vote, called a referendum, where all citizens could vote directly.

Why Some Countries Said No

Even though 18 countries approved the treaty, it needed to be approved by all member states to become law. The people of France and the Netherlands voted against it in their referendums. Their reasons varied, but often included concerns about national identity, the power of the EU, and economic issues. Because these two countries said no, the treaty could not go forward.

What Happened Next?

Since the European Constitution was not approved, the European Union continued to operate under its existing treaties. The idea of simplifying the EU's rules did not disappear, though.

The Lisbon Treaty

Later, many of the ideas from the unapproved constitution were put into a new treaty. This new agreement was called the Treaty of Lisbon. It was signed in 2007 and came into effect in 2009. The Lisbon Treaty made many of the changes that the European Constitution had aimed for, but in a different way.