Prospects for the Lisbon Treaty

After this week's EU Council meeting President Sarkozy of France is proposing that French experts will "help" the Irish to finsd a way forward before the end of the French Presidency in December. A further grotesque dance of the grave of democracy. One report is here: “We will define the elements of a solution in December and I shall have the opportunity to make proposals,” France's President Nicolas Sarkozy told journalists late on Wednesday. Declan Ganley, who led the No Campaign during the Irish Referendum Campaign is warning the EU of the consequences of any attempt to circumvent the vote, read here. The EU is now having other worries over political uncertainties in the Czech Republic, read here, which assumes the EU Presidency next January and will hold it throughout the election campaign for the EU Parliament due in June, which sensibly should now be canceled in view of the present uncertainties and the economic plight of the entire EU. Another good reason why the ghastly Lisbon Treaty must never enter into force may be seen on the Euractiv website today, an item on sport, here, of which this is a quote:

Future EU programmes providing financial support for sports organisations and sports-related projects "will be a key tool to promote the social values of sport," said Nicolas Gyss, the secretary general of Sport et Citoyenneté , a European association aiming to stimulate study and debate of sport's societal role.

The programme could be launched if and when the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, establishing shared EU competence in the sector.