Open Letter To Civil Society Leaders of the European Union

Dear Madam, dear Sir,

We believe, most certainly as you do, that the European construction process is the single most important political innovation of past decades. It serves the interest of peace, prosperity and freedom in Europe and paves the way for a similar future in other regions of the world.

Article I-1 of the project of European Constitution puts citizens on equal footing with member-states: « Reflecting the will of citizens and States of Europe to build a common future, this Constitution establishes the European Union, on which Member States confer competences to attain objectives they have in common». But the EU is far from being a true democracy. The vast majority of its 450 millions citizens feel they have no say in the Union. This was displayed by the lowest turn-out ever at last elections for the European Parliament in June.

The fact that the EU-Constitution is submitted to direct approval by the people in several EU countries is a positive step towards stronger involvement. But Europe runs a very high risk of having a majority of No-votes in these referenda as a result of abstention and ‘compulsory support fatigue’. A significant part of voters will use the opportunity of this unique democratic consultation to express their anger at never having been consulted on major EU affairs.

A rejection of the Constitution in several member states would lead to a major crisis in the EU – at a time when Europeans urgently need to give new impetus to the 60 year old unity process. This a major danger, but not a fate. The challenge of how to win the people's support for a European future has to be dealt with starting today.

Given this urgency, we would like to know your opinion on three questions:

1. Do you think that the EU Constitution can serve as a ‘first step’ to implement a true democratisation of the European Union from 2009 onwards? Why?

2. What would be necessary to promote such a democratisation and to convince people that such an objective will seriously become a top priority for the EU if the EU Constitution is adopted?

3. Would you and/or your organization be interested in joining forces with other Europeans to get both the Constitution adopted and the process towards democratisation secured?
Depending on the feedback of several hundreds of opinion leaders and experts such as yourself, Newropeans-Networks may decide to launch by January 2005, a large trans-European campaign entitled ‘Yes-But - Yes to the EU Constitution But with Democratization next on the EU Agenda’; or simply said, ‘YES to Europe, BUT with Democracy on top!’.
Its aim would be to convince voters to support the EU constitution by showing them that a sufficient mobilization, around this motto and concrete actions, can force the EU leadership to be serious about an EU democratisation starting now.

We think that about 20% of voters, especially from the 18/45 years old age group, may be a core target for such a campaign. Such a campaign, however, can only succeed if a large number of opinion leaders and organisations join forces at the European level and within each national referendum campaign.

Let us know your opinion. The future of both democracy and the European Union may depend on it.

Yours sincerely

Newropeans-Networks