On Friday the people of Ireland voted on the EU’s new constitution, the Treaty of Lisbon. But what is it they are voting on? And what consequences will the result of the referendum have? se2009.eu straightens things out.

The Treaty of Lisbon is the natural next step in the development of the EU, or in other words the new framework that is needed for the Union to function with a growing number of Member States. Since the EU was formed, the number of members has increased from 6 to 27, and with more candidate countries on the waiting list for entry, the EU will probably continue to grow in the future. Therefore new rules are required that are adapted to the new circumstances. You could say that the EU has grown out of its clothes.

Today’s referendum is the second in a row for the Irish people. Just over a year ago they voted no to the Treaty. Since then, the Member States have agreed on some clarifications of the content of the Treaty, such as the fact that it does not affect the Irish constitution. It was also agreed that all EU Member States would continue to nominate one Member of the European Commission each, which was not originally stated in the Lisbon Treaty.

All must ratify it

For the Treaty to enter into force, it must be ratified by all the EU Member States, and so far all countries apart from three have given their approval. If Ireland votes yes today, Poland and the Czech Republic will then have to give their final yes before the Lisbon Treaty can become the EU’s new framework. In Poland the parliamentary process has been completed and in the Czech Republic an examination of the text of the law is being carried out in the country's Constitutional Court.

The result of the Irish referendum will be announced tomorrow, Saturday. President of the Council Fredrik Reinfeldt will comment on the result at a press briefing in Bella Venezia, Rosenbad in Stockholm on 3 October in the afternoon. The press briefing will be webcast live here on se2009.eu.