INTERGROUP EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION

PRESS RELEASE

Strasbourg, 21.11.2002

European Parliamentarians against a "Congress of the Peoples"

The idea of a new institution, a "Congress of the Peoples" as proposed by the Convention's president Valéry Giscard d' Estaing met with strong resistance in the European Parliament. In a meeting of the Intergroup 'European Constitution' on November 19th in Strasbourg, nearly all members of the European Parliament present criticised the proposal as superfluous and counter-productive. Many saw this initiative as further proof of an attempt to intergovernmentalise the EU, and consequently weakening the European Parliament.

As a mere "talking shop" about EU policy the Congress of the Peoples would lose its attraction very quickly. As a "decision-making body" on the other hand, it would be in direct competition with the EP, both as far as the election of political personnel is concerned (for example the president of the European Commission), and even in legislative matters (for example on the budget of the EU).

The Intergroup European Constitution calls on the Convention, not to accept the "Congress of the Peoples" as a European institution in the European Constitution. Instead, the institutional triangle of European Parliament, Commission and Council in its functions and the community method should be strengthened.

Intergroup Secretariat
Tel. : (32)2/284 7842 – Fax : (32)2/626.95.01– E-mail : european.constitution@skynet.be