The European political class debates the fate of the Constitution behind closed doors, with occasional second-stringers flying kites on the best way forward. One is Socialist MEP, Jo Leinen, Chairman on the Committee of Constitutional Affairs at the European Parliament. His compromise differs from other proposals in that cherrypicking the Constitution is attacked and retention of all of the articles is defended. Leinen is one of the staunch Constitutionalists, who argues that as the national governments have signed up, they should implement the Constitution. His interview with Euractiv does not mention the referenda at all.
His proposal recommends removing those parts of the Constitution already ratified under the Treaty of Nice, and reorganising the remainder into a new Treaty, in order to render Europe more governable, ie. more Sprouted under Brussels.
The idea is not to write new articles for the Constitution. We
understood that the Constitution is too long and too complex for
citizens. Therefore, it could be feasible to slim it down, by removing
all parts that are already ratified with the Treaty of Nice, which is
around 83% of part III, and only keeping the new articles. The
remaining articles have to be regrouped and reordered. The result will
be a new treaty including all articles from the first, second and
fourth part as well as the new articles from the third part.
Still, the Commission never learns. After France and the Netherlands kicked the Constitution out, tired old faces have sprung up on a "wise men" committee to provide political will for this defecated foundation. What will Chris Patten, Michel Barnier Paavo Lipponen and Wim Kok achieve, except a report arguing that it were best for the peoples of Europe not to have their say because they might say 'No'. And Barroso at the Commission adds ballast with enlargement blackmail, stating that there will be no further expansion until an "institutional arrangement" has been achieved. That promise could come back to bite you on the ass if a tipping point towards decentralisation is reached.