The method of gradual reforms has reached an end. A lack of transparency in the methods and false compromises with results, that are not understandable, have led to a growing suspicion and decreasing acceptance of European integration. Today European Union has reached the borders of its capacity. The enlargement with the central and eastern European states creates additional challenges on the unity of the Union and the functioning of its institutions. Deeper reforms are needed to ensure that Europe will become not only more efficient but also more democratic and transparent in the future.

The European constitutional treaty shall comprise the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the allocation of competencies between the Union and the member states as well as the institutional design. For us there exits no opposition between Europe and nation. If the nation states are not capable to deal with problems in the main policy-fields on their own, only one consequence is possible. Peace, exterior and interior security, wealth and growth in a globalised world are important tasks, for which the national states have become to small. Therefore the re-gain of capacity of action in essential parts of politics is needed.

The fact, that policy areas decided on the European level must not lead to a loss of democracy and transparency, as they would be decided on the national level. Therefore decision making on the European level has to be as democratic legitimised as in the nation states. Thus, Junge Union favours a fundamental reform of the institutions the in the framework of the constitutional treaty. The enlargement of the Union accentuates this necessity.

The European Parliament is the only institution of the EU with direct democratic legitimacy. It has to become – together with the council – a real legislative body of the Union. This comprises the budget right, but nor the decision about own financial resources of the Union. The initiative power has to handed over to the European Parliament. It has to elect the president of the Commission and to confirm the whole commission. The European political parties shall nominate candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission to strengthen the personal element in the political debate and the European elections.

The work of the Council has to examined very profoundly. This refers Especially to his role in the framework of the institutions. A lack of co-ordination between the different policy-field-councils, intransparent decision making procedures and inefficient debates was well as the overloading with administrative questions hinder a transparent and efficient work. The decision making has to become more democratic and efficient. To achieve this the Council as legislator has to meet in public. Executive functions should be exercised by the Council only in areas of intergovernmental co-operation. Majority voting has to become the normal case.

http://www.junge-union.de/ju/politik/Verfassung_Europa-index.php3