Citizens and Further Democratisation afer the Lisbon Treaty

Abstract

The question this attempts to answer is how the Lisbon Treaty, cherishing diversity in EU development at the expense of the idea of unity, and more devoted to national interests could foster European identity and make an Union that is closer to its citizens? In particular, our aim is to demonstrate that the efforts of the Lisbon Treaty to make the Union more democratic, by enhancing the role of national parliaments, the early warning mechanism and principle of subsidiarity, the European Citizens’ Initiative and the new rules on transparency, have built a framework in which European Identity could take a shape. We would like to point out a certain visibility of the current Treaty. Even without symbols, the Lisbon Treaty carries its manifesto, endowing the Union with the necessary mechanisms. It is now up to the citizens what use they will make of them.