The Lisbon Treaty has proved more problematic than other European arrangement, encroaching as it does upon sovereignty to such an extent, that the post-democratic Mandelson treats this as a theoretical construct.
The German Constitutional Court has decided not to hold up the roadshow. One imagines that the judges quailed before the massed forces of MEPS and federasts ululating with their spears and shields if they denied their future kraal. But they have demanded additional strengthening for the democratic pillar in Germany, for appearances:
The presiding judge in the federal constitutional court, Andreas Vosskuhle, said: "The basic law (German law) says Yes to the Treaty but demands at national level a strengthening of the parliament's involvement."
The judgment echoes a fierce debate in Britain between those who describe proposed EU constitutional change as a "tidying up exercise" and the treaty's opponents who see the text as part of a federalist agenda that threatens national sovereignty.
The case was brought by 50 German MPs who argued that approval of the treaty would erode democracy and breach German law.
The German parliament is expected to vote on the legislation demanded by the court, including a guarantee that its parliament will have to vote on any changes to the treaty or any expansion of EU competences, before the country's general election on Sept 27.
German judges recognise a democratic deficit and wish to address it. The British state licks its lips in anticipation and secretly applauds Brown and Clegg for ditching their manifesto commitment to a referendum. Any delay is welcome, since I, like my German counterparts, would like to have a say, and my say would be No.