From trade to migration, Member States are breaking ranks in the whole common rules
by Emanuele Bonini
It is not only about migration. The era of the European Union is over because no Member State recognise any longer what have been common rules until today. From fiscal policies to trade issues, passing through the Brexit, everything has been put in question. And once everything is put in question, anything can neither work nor, consequently, deliver. What is going on with CETA is just one a major proof of the implosion of the single project. Article 3, paragraph 1, of the treaty of the EU states that «the Union shall have exclusive competence» in common commercial policy, which means the EU-Canada free trade agreement (CETA) has been signed in respect of EU laws and with a full regular negotiating mandate received by the Member States. Now a regional Parliament in Belgium decided to block the ratification, posing a legal issue over the credibility of the European Union.
Trade
What is happening with CETA is not a first, isolated case. Even with TTIP, the free trade agreement that the EU is negotiation with the United States, Member States changed their mind declaring the dossier as «dead». This is another clear example of how national governments are delegitimizing to the European Commission, the EU body originally thought to replace nation States for acting on their behalf. Without legitimacy the European Commission is weaken, as well as the EU itself. In case of a failure of the EU-Canada free trade agreement, how the EU could negotiate the next commercial deal with third countries?
Fiscal policy
Article 17, paragraph 1, of the treaty of the EU clearly foresee that the European Commission «shall ensure the application of the Treaties, and of measures adopted by the institutions pursuant to them». It also «shall oversee the application of Union law», and this is true for every single law agreed, included the Stability and growth pact and the fiscal compact. Actually there is a strong fight between the European Union and Italy on the Italian national budgetary plan. Italy proposed policies in contrast with EU recommendations. Now, the European Commission is acting according to what is foreseen by treaties, while Italy is operating against the rules. But the Italian government preferred engage a political battle which clearly undermines the legitimacy of the EU Commission. Once again, a member State complains against the common rules of the EU.
Migration
No quotas, please. Member States refuse the idea of hosting on their territories an imposed number of asylum seekers. The proposal from the European Commission has been rejecting by the eastern countries, such as Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Nothing wrong. According to the EU rules and legislative process, the European Commission propose draft bills, and Member States decide. But it is undeniable even on migration the common approach is already over, and rules are not taken into account. This shows on one hand the weakness of the European Union as a whole, and it shows on the other hand the lack of consideration in the authority of the Commission.
Brexit
What can we say about Brexit? A lot has already been said, and here it can only be added that the British farewell to the EU is a clear sign of distrust in the European ideals. And if we look at the anti-European sentiment spreading all across Europe, the image is that of a complete change of mind.
EU at stake
Taking all these factors together, it appears clear as the idea of European Union is over. Member States refuse the European Commission activity, seen as an interference in internal affairs. The EU Commission is more and more weak because more and more delegitimized. Once this delegitimization game will be completed, then the dismantle of Europe will be completed, too.
It is not only about migration. The era of the European Union is over because no Member State recognise any longer what have been common rules until today. From fiscal policies to trade issues, passing through the Brexit, everything has been put in question. And once everything is put in question, anything can neither work nor, consequently, deliver. What is going on with CETA is just one a major proof of the implosion of the single project. Article 3, paragraph 1, of the treaty of the EU states that «the Union shall have exclusive competence» in common commercial policy, which means the EU-Canada free trade agreement (CETA) has been signed in respect of EU laws and with a full regular negotiating mandate received by the Member States. Now a regional Parliament in Belgium decided to block the ratification, posing a legal issue over the credibility of the European Union.
Trade
What is happening with CETA is not a first, isolated case. Even with TTIP, the free trade agreement that the EU is negotiation with the United States, Member States changed their mind declaring the dossier as «dead». This is another clear example of how national governments are delegitimizing to the European Commission, the EU body originally thought to replace nation States for acting on their behalf. Without legitimacy the European Commission is weaken, as well as the EU itself. In case of a failure of the EU-Canada free trade agreement, how the EU could negotiate the next commercial deal with third countries?
Fiscal policy
Article 17, paragraph 1, of the treaty of the EU clearly foresee that the European Commission «shall ensure the application of the Treaties, and of measures adopted by the institutions pursuant to them». It also «shall oversee the application of Union law», and this is true for every single law agreed, included the Stability and growth pact and the fiscal compact. Actually there is a strong fight between the European Union and Italy on the Italian national budgetary plan. Italy proposed policies in contrast with EU recommendations. Now, the European Commission is acting according to what is foreseen by treaties, while Italy is operating against the rules. But the Italian government preferred engage a political battle which clearly undermines the legitimacy of the EU Commission. Once again, a member State complains against the common rules of the EU.
Migration
No quotas, please. Member States refuse the idea of hosting on their territories an imposed number of asylum seekers. The proposal from the European Commission has been rejecting by the eastern countries, such as Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Nothing wrong. According to the EU rules and legislative process, the European Commission propose draft bills, and Member States decide. But it is undeniable even on migration the common approach is already over, and rules are not taken into account. This shows on one hand the weakness of the European Union as a whole, and it shows on the other hand the lack of consideration in the authority of the Commission.
Brexit
What can we say about Brexit? A lot has already been said, and here it can only be added that the British farewell to the EU is a clear sign of distrust in the European ideals. And if we look at the anti-European sentiment spreading all across Europe, the image is that of a complete change of mind.
EU at stake
Taking all these factors together, it appears clear as the idea of European Union is over. Member States refuse the European Commission activity, seen as an interference in internal affairs. The EU Commission is more and more weak because more and more delegitimized. Once this delegitimization game will be completed, then the dismantle of Europe will be completed, too.
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