Dear Europeans,

This is the last Bulletin of uncertainty, the uncertainty of not knowing whether the Convention will be a success or a failure. In our next edition we will be able to present to you the final European Constitution and the first comments on it.

Considering that there is less than a week of work ahead of the Convention, it is remarkable that on major issues there still seems to be no consensus. Whereas nearly the entire Parts 1, 2 and 4 (the 3rd Part on Union policies will be finalised after the Thessaloniki council) seem to be acceptable to Convention members, no clear consensus on institutions is in reach. Despite the fact that a majority of Convention members reject a President or a Chair of the European Council, the Convention Presidium is convinced that they will include this position in the institutional architecture of the future Union. The same applies to the issue of unanimity and qualified majority voting, a question on which the opinions of most Convention members differ from those of individual government representatives and the Presidium.

An acceptable and successful outcome of the Convention will only be achieved if both Convention members and Presidium members are willing to give up certain demands and show their willingness to cooperate. The citizens of Europe can only hope that in the last seconds, the founding fathers of the new EU will agree to a democratic Constitution. For the remaining week, youth organisations and civil society will do their best to contribute to such a goal.

Besides many informations from within the Convention, this Bulletin also includes an interview with Inigo Mendez de Vigo, MEP, member of the Convention Presidium. Further you will find contributions of JEF and other civil society organisations.

Many of our readers asked us, whether the Convention Bulletin will stop after the Convention. We are happy to tell you that we will continue with this Bulletin and follow the evolution of the debate at least until the end of the IGC. Two special editions of the Bulletin, on Monday the 16th June and Monday the 23rd June will report and analyse the final Convention session of next Friday and then the official handing over of the Constitution in Thessaloniki. After these two editions we will issue a monthly Bulletin giving you an overview on the proceedings of the Intergovernmental Conference as well as developments in member states concerning the possible ratification of the Constitution.

As always, we are happy to receive your contributions to the bulletin or comments on the content. If you would like to contribute to the next edition of the Bulletin, send your contribution to mailto:convention@jef-europe.net (deadline for the 31th issue is 12th June). As usual, you can read all articles of this Bulletin in full length on the Constitutional Convention Homepage: http://www.constitutional-convention.net.

Best European greetings,

your Editor in chief.